Government
Educational, Collaborative and very Cool; Hurricane Hunter Team with Strong Messages
By Dana Malcolm with Deandrea Hamilton
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, April 26, 2023 – The possible arrival of weather system El Nino has prompted several early forecasts from AccuWeather and others predicting a less active Atlantic Hurricane season than usual but Jamie Rhome, Deputy Director of the National Hurricane Centre in a recent visit to the Turks and Caicos urged residents to ignore news surrounding El Nino.
“I want you all to ignore the headlines of El Nino and don’t fall in the trap– I can assure you hurricanes can and will form during El Nino years and will [do so] this season. We don’t know yet where they will go and who they will
threaten but El Nino will not stop them from threatening communities ,” he said.
Rhone was speaking at the April 21st visit by the US National Hurricane Centre (NHS) Hurricane Hunter Aircraft and its team. The Hurricane Hunters who are from the NHS, the US National Oceanic Atmospheric Association and US Air Force Reserve, were back in the Turks and Caicos; they’d visited in 2017.
Rhone maintained the visit was a major investment and a purposeful one as well.
“That’s a big plane, it consumes a lot of fuel and there’s 23 personnel on board. That’s a big investment— what is it we’re trying to say by bringing it here? It’s a strong strong message that hurricanes are a big risk to this community and to your country,” he said.
Using Fiona as an example, the Deputy Director explained that storms were no longer allowing countries in their trajectory days of warning to prepare, rather they were intensifying rapidly and sometimes overnight.
“Increasingly how hurricanes manifest themselves is through this sudden quick intensification leaving people a day to prepare, sometimes even less. No longer can we wait for the storm to approach to prepare,” he warned, emphasizing preparation at the beginning of the season which begins on June 1.
While encouraging prior preparation, the deputy director provided insight to a problem that may go unnoticed, deaths of the elderly in the aftermath.
“I especially want you to think about the elderly, we’re seeing an increase in loss of life after storms due to the loss of power and the oppressive heat that often comes after these events.”
Residents and policy makers were admonished to think about things like this that were ‘beyond the immediate’ like stocking up on medication.
Dr. Holly Hamilton who heads the Meteorological Service in the Turks and Caicos led the event thanking the team for their service.
“It is an essential tool when it comes to Hurricane forecasting and tracking, the people on that plane risk their lives to go in and retrieve very important data that we use to predict and protect your lives,” she explained.
Anya Williams, Acting Governor assured the country that the country’s respective authorities were already preparing.
“We know that the hurricane season is from June to November but it’s important that we are prepared. Earlier this week we had our first state of preparedness meeting with all ministries and departments to ensure that the government in the Turks and Caicos is as prepared as possible.”
That extends to the population as well, Williams maintained: “No matter how prepared the government is, we are only properly prepared as our people are.”
E Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister thanked the NOAA team, expressing his personal delight at the visit of the aircraft, commending the value of collaboration.
“I would like to emphasize the importance of working together in the face of adversity as Hellen Keller put it. It is through our collective efforts that we can make a difference,” he reminded. “Today we can make a significant impact in building a more secure and resilient Caribbean and Turks and Caicos Islands.”
He expressed his excitement to see the ‘incredible technology and dedication” that made the flights into hurricanes, which provide lifesaving information to the Turks and Caicos and the entire Caribbean, possible.
Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Immigration and Border Services emphasized preparation as well expressing his gratitude to the NOAA team.
“I appreciate you guys coming in and sharing your expertise with us, so let’s get all of their knowledge and then let’s share it with each other,” he offered as officials, students and other hurricane season stakeholders eagerly awaited the opportunity to see the parked aircraft up close.
Rhodes had one last request: “I want you to walk away from the event with a newfound commitment to ready yourselves and your community for June 1.”
The aircraft was hosted at the Provo Air Center, near the Providenciales International Airport by the TCI Airports Authority. A succinct welcome ceremony and expo were also staged to mark the visit which also included stops in Mexico, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
Turks and Caicos
Governor, Her Excellency, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, chaired the 32nd meeting of Cabinet held on Wednesday, 9th October 2024 at the Office of the Premier and Public Policy, Leeward Highway, Providenciales.
All members of Cabinet were present with the exception of H.E. Deputy Governor, Anya Williams, Hon. Josephine Connolly, Minister for Tourism, and Hon. Arlington Musgrove, Minister for Immigration.
At this meeting of Cabinet:
- Received an update from the Statistics Authority on the progress of the current state of the Turks and Caicos Islands census.
- Approved the Supplementary Appropriation (2024/2025) Bill 2024 for onward submission to the House of Assembly.
- Approved, on an exceptional basis, the reinstatement of a Concession Order for Grace Bay Resorts.
- Approved the appointment of Ms. Latisha Williams -Bruce as Chairman of the National Insurance Appeal Tribunal for a period of two years.
- Approved the Turks and Caicos National Wealth Fund (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2024 for onward submission to the House of Assembly.
- Approved the introduction of the National Quality Policy 2024.
- Approved the renewal of the lease agreement for the Public Works Department in Grand Turk for a five-year term.
- Approved the appointment of the following medical professionals to the Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Professions Council for a two-year term: Dr. Alexis Missick, Medical Practitioner; Dr. Janice Baron, Chief Dental Officer; and Dr. Reginald Thomas.
- Approved the reappointment of the following individuals as members of the Ports Authority Board for a three-year term: Mr. Tueton Williams (Chair), Crosly Bain (Member), Tracey Parker Gray (Permanent Secretary, Finance or Nominee), Permanent Secretary, Ports, Director of Ports, Chief Engineer, and Collector of Customs. Also approved the extension of Mr. Dennis Swann (Deputy Chair) and Showonda Gardiner for a term of two and a half years.
- Received an update on development for the island of South Caicos.
- Confirmed the transfer of funds from various Ministries to the Ministry of Education for additional scholarship funding.
Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.
Turks and Caicos
Governor, Her Excellency, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, chaired the 33rd meeting of Cabinet held on Friday, 25th October 2024 at the Office of the Premier and Public Policy, Leeward Highway, Providenciales.
All members of Cabinet were present with the exception of Hon Josephine Connolly, Minister for Tourism, Hon. Shaun Malcolm, Minister for Health and Hon. Rhondalee Knowles, Attorney General with Ms. Khalila Astwood serving as Acting Attorney General.
At this meeting of Cabinet:
- Received an information paper on the Howard Hamilton International Airport Redevelopment Public Private Partnership Project and approved financing proposals for submission to the United Kingdom in line with the Public Finance Management Ordinance (PFMO).
Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.
Turks and Caicos
Governor, Her Excellency, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, chaired the 34th meeting of Cabinet held on Wednesday, 30th October 2024 at the Office of the Premier and Public Policy, Leeward Highway, Providenciales.
All members of Cabinet were present with the exception of Hon. Otis Morris, Minister for Home Affairs.
At this meeting of Cabinet:
- Approved policy changes and amendments to the Business Licensing Ordinance.
- Approved amendments to be made to the National Insurance (Benefit) Regulations.
- Approved an Amnesty Ordinance to provide a 6-month amnesty on penalties for outstanding contributions as well as an amendment to the National Insurance Ordinance and Regulations.
- Approved amendments to the Elections Ordinance to align with the additional requirements and subsequent changes made to the Constitution.
- Approved the recommendations made by the Supervisor of Elections and the International Observers, following consultation and discussion with the Elections Oversight Group after the 2021 General Elections.
- Approved the reformation of the National Assessment Team (NAT) related to the poverty assessment for a period of seven months.
- Approved the appointment of Ms. Rudell Williams as Chairwoman of the TCI Credit Union and further granted approval for stipends for non-TCIG board members.
- Approved the payment of costs related to a Court matter CL 130/2023.
- Approved a duty concession on the importation of furniture and fixtures as per the Refurbishment Policy for Pelican Bay Restaurant & Bar.
- Received an update on the number of approvals granted in the Restricted Business Licence Application Category – Schedule 4 of the Business Licensing Regulations 2021.
- Approved the appointment of Ms. Cagina Foster as Collector of Stamp Duty commencing November 1, 2024.
- Approved a Bill to Repeal the Legislative Service (Special Provision) Pension Ordinance for onward submission to House of Assembly.
- Approved the withdrawal of the moratorium on a parcel located within Block 60804, the Bight and Thomas Stubbs, Providenciales.
- Approved a license to Henrik Arnth-Jensen and Ekaterina Arnth-Jensen for the repair of an existing groyne and the development of a boardwalk seaward of parcels 60702/59 and 60702/60, subject to various conditions.
- Approved a rental lease agreement for additional space for the Judicial Courts at Unit #1, Rhonda’s Building, Whitby, North Caicos, for a five-year term.
- Approved a lease agreement for the Department of Gender Affairs at Unit #3B, Courtyard Plaza, Providenciales (parcel 60703/24 K 17), for a five-year term.
- Approved the Revised Vehicle Import Duty Reduction Policy for current and former Civil Servants.
- Received an update on the Renewable Energy Consultation process.
- Approved a payment to be made in relation to a Claims Against Government-Judicial Review Matter CL153/2023.
- Approved the establishment of the Quality Assurance Consultative Committee, comprising the following members: Wesley Clerveaux (Chair), Danier Lightbourne (Member), Trefa Hinds (Member, ex-officio), Luc Clerveaux (Member, ex-officio), Candesha Mills (Member, ex-officio), John Hilton (Member), Mary Lightbourne (Member), and Sasha Arthur (Member). Further approved the payment of a stipend to non-TCIG members.
- Approved the commencement of the TCIG Christmas Salary Advance 2024 Programme for Public Officers and Pensioners.
Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.
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