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Magnetic Media stands by its Report as TCIAA issues statement 

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By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, July 7, 2023 – The Turks and Caicos Airports Authority has released a statement defending its decision to develop the Howard Hamilton/Providenciales Airport via a public private partnership referencing reported hysteria, they say, was prompted by a report from the Magnetic Media News team on July 2, 2023 after residents reacted to the news.

Magnetic Media stands resolutely behind its report; rejecting any notion that the information contained within was or is inaccurate.

The facts contained in said report came directly from the TCIAA, by their own admission, in their May 25th statement titled, “UK GIVES GREENLIGHT TO HOWARD HAMILTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT,” regarding UK approval to move forward with the redevelopment and engage in a public private partnership of their choosing.

The Magnetic Media news team printed that statement in full on May 29th; giving it also front page billing in our e-newspaper, The Magnate.

On June 16th, Cabinet revealed they had also greenlighted the project in a June 14th meeting which prompted a Magnetic Media report containing these facts, as shared by the TCIAA.

As investors expressed aggressive interest in partnering with the TCIAA, The Authority did extensive consultation with stakeholders in the aviation industry regarding the redevelopment of the airport, before deciding that a PPP was a viable option.

“In the last quarter of 2021, the Government received various unsolicited presentations for the redevelopment of the Airport, all of which varied in size of scope and proposal, making it abundantly clear that a consultancy was required to present the best options,” the statement said.

They then presented a business case to the UK asking for approval to move forward with the PPP as referenced in their May 25 statement.

While the exact terms of that PPP contract are yet to be determined or released to the public, the TCIAA and the Government made it clear in the joint statement they were ready and willing to share both the risk and the reward for the redevelopment with a private partner.

“Under the proposed program, the TCIAA will retain ownership of the Airport with a maximum 30-year period for the funding/payback arrangement. It is envisioned that through a meticulously designed and executed procurement exercise involving a pre-qualification stage, a renowned international airport operator could be engaged for the operation and maintenance of the Airport, while the construction of the terminal will be via a local investor or a consortium thereof,” they said.

Despite the finer details having not been released, the public was informed by the Authority that the PPP would see significant investment from whichever  private partner they choose, which will be repaid over time.

“There will be no impact on TCIG’s debt status. TCIG’s remuneration would result from a structured revenue share scheme or dividend repayment policy depending on whether the project is structured as a PPP or developed with Public funding/financing,” the statement conveyed.

Both Washington Misick, TCI Premier and Arlington Musgrove,  Minister of Immigration went on record expressing confidence in the upcoming plans, and Cabinet has approved the TCIAAs plans allowing the Board to now decide on which partner they will choose to complete the redevelopment going forward.

Musgrove himself maintained that the PPP was not a matter of money.

“The TCIAA and TCIG want the public to know that the decision to pursue a PPP program for the redevelopment is not premised on a situation where the TCIAA and/TCIG cannot self-fund the project,” said Hon. Musgrove, who continued with, “The decision to pursue a PPP is premised on a ‘big picture’ understanding and approach to value for money and the benefits which can be achieved for the greater social good.”

The Authority says its statement defending the PPP was prompted by the public’s reaction to the news.

While the TCIAA has routinely consulted stakeholders on the matter of the redevelopment before making the decision to enter into a PPP, the public has not been afforded the opportunity to have their questions regarding the major redevelopment answered as all communication has come in the form of static statements, not press conferences.

Magnetic Media is committed to true and fair reporting and bears no responsibility for, nor can the team control, or seek to sway, the reaction of the public to facts.

All facts in the report came directly from the TCIAA and Government officials.

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Kew Town Man gets a Year in Prison for 2024 Burglary of a business

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Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) remains committed to ensuring
justice and enhancing public safety.

On January 30, 2025, JERMAINE WELCH, 26, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to TWO COUNTS of BURGLARY for offences committed in 2024.

The court heard that on December 1, 2024, a business establishment on Airport Road, Providenciales, was secured by its owner. Upon returning the next day (December 2), the owner discovered that the premises had been broken into and burglarized. CCTV footage from the establishment identified Mr. Welch as the perpetrator.

A similar incident occurred on December 6, 2024, when another business owner secured their establishment, only to return on December 7 and find it had also been burglarized. CCTV footage from this location also identified Mr. Welch as the culprit.

Following a thorough investigation, Mr. Welch was arrested on December 11, 2024, and subsequently charged.

Acting Superintendent Grantly Williams, Head of Serious Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection, emphasized the critical role of security systems in crime prevention.

“The use of CCTV footage significantly aided our officers in arresting and charging the accused. I strongly encourage businesses and homeowners to take proactive measures by installing reliable security systems.  If you already have one in place, please ensure it is regularly servicedmand fully operational. These systems assist in solving crimes and serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. Become a hard target by safeguarding yourself and your property.”

The RT&CIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to anonymously provide any information on illegal activities. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.

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Guilty Plea from Dock Yard Man arrested for Firearm, Ammo

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Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male pleaded guilty to four charges today (January 31) following a
robbery which occurred in 2024. JAMES SIMON is expected to be sentenced on April 03rd, 2025, having been convicted for the following offences:

  • One Count Possession of Firearm
  •  One Count Possession of Ammunition
  • One Count Robbery
  • One Count using a Firearm in the Commission of a Serious Offence

Based on the evidence presented before the court, Mr. Simon was arrested on May 02, 2024, along South Dock Road, where he was found with an illegal firearm.

Acting Superintendent in charge of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Grantley Williams said, “Given the prevalence of firearm-related incidents, the Force has successfully removed one more illegal firearm from our streets. I applaud my officers for their vigilance and
dedication to their duty. I urge the public to assist us by reporting illegal firearms—if you have any information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Please contact the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or you can also anonymously share information via the Crime Stoppers P3 app. Together, we can make the Turks and Caicos Islands safer.”

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PUBLICATION OF THE 2025/2026 ELECTORS LIST

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Turks and Caicos Islanders will be given the opportunity to view the 2025/2026 Electors List from today February 1st, 2025.  Supervisor of Elections Lister Dudley Lewis will post the Electors List of voters to seventy-three (73) locations across the Turks and Caicos Islands. (It is important to remind the public that they would have had to be registered by November 30th 2023 to be eligible to vote in the February 7th 2025 General Election.)

After publication of the Electors List, Registered voters will have fourteen (14) days to scrutinize it and make any claims or objections.  Electors can make claims on their own or on behalf of others, as set out in Form 5  of the Elections Ordinance similarly, objections can be made as set out in Form 6.

An Elector who is off Island for the next two (2) weeks may appoint an agent to act on his/her behalf as set out in Form 7.  The Agent must produce a sworn affidavit that he/she are acting on the Claimant’s behalf.

Claims and Objections can be submitted to the Elections Office on Pond Street Grand Turk, Providenciales Elections Office Caribbean Place Leeward Highway and District Commissioner’s Officers or by e-mail to electionsdept@gov.tc

The Electors List will be available for viewing in the ten (10) Electoral Districts and elections Web page from today https://gov.tc/elections/

All Forms can be obtained from the Elections Office Grand Turk, Providenciales Elections Office and District Commissioner’s Officers.

The Electors List can be viewed at the following locations:

See Full list here: Electors List 2025[19]

 

ED 1 – Grand Turk North                                           ED 2 – Grand Turk South & Salt Cay

Fulford’s Gas Station                                                  IGA Supermarket

Sunny Food Store (West Road)                                  Do-it-Centre

Durham’s Home Centre                                              Sunny Foods

John Missick Bar (West Road)                                   Grand Turk Library

Shop Rite Grocery Store                                             Grand Turk International Airport

Things Galore Store (Over Back)                               DC’s Office Salt Cay

A&H Hair Supply (Over Back)                                  Community Centre (Salt Cay)

Fishermen Paradise (Over Back)                                Grand Turk Liquors

Poop Deck Restaurant (Pond Street)                          Grace Bay Pharmacy (Church Folly)

 

ED 3 – South Caicos                                       ED 4 – Middle and North Caicos

Airport Terminal                                                         Dist. Commissioner’s Office Conch Bar

District Commissioner’s Office                                  Community Centre, Bambarra

Seaview Marina                                                          Government Clinic, Lorimers

Super value Supermarket                                            Dist. Commissioner’s Office Bottle Creek

G & H Enterprise                                                        Kevin’s Enterprise

Government Treasury                                                 Digicel Store Bottle Creek

Community Centre Kew

Community Centre Whitby

Community Centre Sandy Point

 

ED 5 – Leeward                                                          ED – 6 The Bight

Sand Castle Convenience Store                                  Ocean Club Convenience Store

TCI Ferry Service                                                       Ocean Club Convenience Store

IBO Store                                                                    Kathleen’s 7 – 11 Store

Rick’s Flamingo Café                                                 Rubis Grace Bay Petro Mart

Rubis Gas Station

Grace way Gourmet Supermarket

Rubis Gas Station Longbay

 

ED 7 – Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill                     ED – 8 Blue Hills

The Library                                                                 Keyse’s Variety Store

Grant’s Gas Station                                                     Publo Wash House

The Post Office                                                           Chicken Shack

Betty’s Store Kew Town                                            The African Store

Black’s Store Kew Town                                            Grace Variety Store

Chinson’s Grill Shack                                                 Lapel’s TCI Dry Cleaners

Discount Liquors                                                        G K Supermarket

Provo Discount Store                                                  Parker’s Variety Party Store

Building Material Do-It-Centre

Grace way IGA Supermarket

 

ED 9 – Five Cays                                                        ED 10 – Wheeland

Mackey’s Automotive                                                Froggies on the Beach

Kitch’s Restaurant                                                      Frank’s Store 4U

Hole in the Wall Restaurant                                       Red Zone Variety Store

Gilly’s Café International Airport

Shallende’s Auto Parts N Service

Walkin Service Station

Liz Bakery

Caicos Oil Mart

 

Lister Dudley Lewis

Supervisor of Elections

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