News

Statement from Akierra Missick following PNP Govt. Cabinet Shuffle

Published

11 months ago

November 7, 2022

#TurksandCaicos, November 7, 2022 – Earlier today, November 7th, 2022, I bid farewell to my staff in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure, following the decision by Premier Hon. Washington Misick to make certain adjustments and relieve me of my Cabinet portfolio.Saying farewell to my team of dedicated staff was certainly as emotional a moment for them as it was for me.Since the announcement on Sunday night, the outpouring of support and well-wishes from my dear and loyal constituents of Leeward and Long Bay and also from the wider Turks and Caicos Islands and beyond, was truly humbling and indeed strengthened my resolve and commitment to be of continued service to the great people of this country.At the outset, I wish to thank Premier Hon. Washington Misick for reposing the confidence in me to serve as Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly and Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure, following the decisive election victory of the party I love, the Progressive National Party (PNP), in February 2021.To have served in those capacities over the past 20 months was a distinct honour and an absolute privilege beyond measure.Let me also now take this opportunity to wish my successor Hon. Jamell R. Robinson every success in this new role and to assure him of my full support.My friends, one of the hallmarks of a democratic society is that ALL Cabinet ministers serve at the pleasure of the country’s leader, which in the case of Turks and Caicos Islands is the Premier.The Premier can appoint and revoke any Cabinet minister’s appointment whenever he sees fit, and he is not obligated to offer any reasons for that decision. As politicians we must be mature enough to appreciate and understand that.It is frankly not right for me, or you, to speculate on these matters and I therefore urge you to refrain from so doing. In the final analysis, Cabinet positions are not life-time appointments.This coming Wednesday, November 9th, 2022, will mark 10 unbroken years since I was elected to the House of Assembly by the wonderful people of Leeward and Long Bay.With their support and on their shoulders, I have worked tirelessly for my constituency and my beloved country and by the grace of God I was fortunate and blessed to have reached the high office of Deputy Premier. I have also served in the Opposition for four years.My point, is that after a decade, I am acquainted with the highs and lows and the lived experience of a millennial, female politician. It has not been an easy road, my friends, but I can give you, the people of Turks and Caicos Islands, the assurance that I leave this portfolio of Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure with my integrity intact.Quality of service and unquestionable integrity are among the hallmarks of great politicians and servants of the people, and I can humbly state that I, Akierra Mary Deanne Missick, will forever place a high premium on, and remain committed to, those core values.My political career is not over. Far from it! As long as I am blessed with the support of my Leeward and Long Bay constituents and the residents of Turks and Caicos Islands, I will continue to champion your causes inside and outside the House of Assembly.I will continue to be a loyal and faithful member of the Progressive National Party, this great institution that I joined 20 years ago. We were elected on a huge, record-breaking mandate and we must remain strong, steadfast and unified as we execute our mandate on behalf of our supporters and residents of Turks and Caicos Islands.In the meantime, I will return to my law practice and continue to utilise my God-given talents for the common good.We are currently facing some formidable challenges as a country and the last thing we need right now is division. As a party and as a country, now more than ever, we must unite against those negative forces that seek to threaten our livelihoods, our safety, our stability and our future.As Shakespeare said in Julius Caesar, “There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.”Regardless of the tide, we as a people must join forces and skillfully navigate the currents and pilot this ship of state to a destiny of prosperity.May God continue to bless and protect us all.

Caribbean News

USA Caribbean Investment Forum: Partnering for Sustained Development in the Caribbean 2023 Event Recap

Published

1 day ago

September 27, 2023

Deandrea Hamilton

The USA Caribbean Investment Forum took place over two days last week at the New York Marriott Marquis Times Square. The event, hosted by the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA) in partnership with representatives of the CARICOM Consular Corps (namely, the Consulates General of Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Antigua & Barbuda), brought together government officials, investment promotion agencies, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from the Caribbean diaspora to connect, engage in thoughtful discussions, and explore investment opportunities throughout the Caribbean.

Fostering International Collaboration

The event featured distinguished speakers and representatives from both the US and Caribbean governments. Consuls General Mr. Mackie Holder (Barbados), Mr. Jerome Andre Laveau (Trinidad & Tobago), and Mr. Rondy McIntosh (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) along with Jeanette Moy, Commissioner of the NYS Office of General Services, Edward Mermelstein, NYC Commissioner of International Affairs, and Molly Bauer, Industry Development Associate from the NY Governor’s Office, shed light on the initiatives that New York City, which is home to so many Caribbean Diaspora, is implementing to support economic collaboration between the regions.

Engaging with Global Leaders

Hon. Kenneth Bryan, Minister for Tourism & Ports, Cayman Islands, and Chair of Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and Hon. E. Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Trade and Investment, Turks and Caicos Islands delivered insights via keynote speeches and held candid discussions during panel and Q&A sessions. The event served as a unique opportunity to communicate in an open and honest forum with two esteemed leaders from the Caribbean about investing in the region.

Promoting Investment Opportunities

CAIPA welcomed representatives from Invest Barbados, Invest Dominica, Grenada Investment Development Corporation (GIDC), InvesTT (Trinidad and Tobago), Invest Turks and Caicos, St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency (SKIPA), Invest St. Lucia, Invest St. Vincent & the Grenadines, the Bahamas Investment Authority, the Curacao Investment and Export Promotion Agency (CINEX), and the Sint Maarten Ministry of Tourism, Economy, Transport and Telecommunications, to discuss various opportunities for investment in their respective countries and how their agencies support and facilitate potential investors.

Hearing Private Sector Success Stories

Private sector companies including the St. James School of Medicine, Century21 Guyana, Ethniv, and Homestrings joined the forum to discuss their current active projects in the Caribbean. They detailed how they’ve worked with local governments and institutions to successfully launch and operate their businesses in the Caribbean, along with the potential opportunities for continued growth.

Understanding How Caribbean Financial Institutions Facilitate Investment

The Forum brought together key representatives from Caribbean financial and economic development institutions: IDB Lab (Ms. Magdalena Coronel, Chief Investment Officer), the National Commercial Bank Jamaica LTD (Mr. Jeffrey Brown, Head, Loans Structuring and Syndications), USAID (Mr. Mervyn Farroe, USAID representative for the Eastern and Southern Caribbean), and the Caribbean Development Bank (Ms. Lisa Harding, Private Sector Development Specialist) to detail how these organizations facilitate and support private investment in the Caribbean.

Forging Connections

Attendees had the opportunity to meet directly with CAIPA member countries during business meetings. These one-on-one conversations were valuable opportunities to speak directly with key stakeholders in order to advance projects and forge direct relationships.

The inaugural USA Caribbean Investment Forum was a great success due to the collaboration and engagement from individuals representing a wide range of sectors, organizations, and countries – all united under the goal of driving economic growth in the Caribbean and taking advantage of the enormous opportunities available in the region. CAIPA and the representatives of the CARICOM Consular Corps are proud to have facilitated these conversations and supported deepening of relationships with key stakeholders throughout the US and the Caribbean. We look forward to our next event, which will be held on 6-8 March in Miami (Caribbean Logistics Investment Conference 2024) – focused on attracting investments into logistics and transportation by sea and air as well as e-commerce logistics and industrial logistics parks throughout the Caribbean. Stay tuned for more details!If you or anyone you know is interested in joining the CAIPA mailing list, please visit: https://www.investincaribbean.org/news-center/sign-up-for-our-newsletter to sign up for our newsletter.

News

Babies exposed to Fentanyl at daycare, one dead and Mayor expresses outrage

Published

2 days ago

September 26, 2023

Deandrea Hamilton

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#USA, September 26, 2023 – A New York woman was arrested for murder following the death of a 1-year-old boy at her daycare centre which authorities say was also being used to store illicit drugs. Grei Mendez was charged with one of her tenants, a male, Carlisto Acevedo Brito, over the shocking incident.

One-year-old Nicholas Dominici died of a suspected fentanyl overdose after being exposed to the drug in the daycare. In an update from the NYPD via Facebook live, we learned a kilo of fentanyl had been sitting in the same place where the children napped; three other babies reportedly had to be revived with a fentanyl antidote Narcan.

They were all two years old or younger.

Eric Adams, New York City Mayor, was enraged by the incident. He described it as ‘total madness.’

“Less than the size of a fingernail can kill an adult, so imagine what it would do to a child, you are irresponsible as an adult if you have this inside your home,” he said, “this is probably one of the worst days I’ve had walking into the Bronx– sitting down with those parents– what do you even say?”

Joe Kenny, Chief Detective on the case, revealed that around 2:41 on September 15, they responded to calls of three unconscious children at the licensed daycare centre. Emergency Medical personnel quickly recognized the symptoms and administered the antidote, saving two lives. Only two hours earlier, a mother had picked up the fourth child, who began to exhibit symptoms at home. He was administered Narcan as well.

All the children had fentanyl in their systems.

The accused are facing charges of murder, attempted murder and depraved indifference.

News

TWO SEXUAL Assault Cases begin in Providenciales Supreme Court

Published

2 days ago

September 26, 2023

Deandrea Hamilton

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Reporter

#TurksandCaicos, September 26, 2023 – On Monday 25th September 2023 in the Providenciales Supreme Court before her Ladyship Ms. Tanya Lobban Jackson and a seven member Jury to be empaneled, there are TWO sexual assault/rape cases are listed to commence.