News
Major String of Immigration Offences for Man who says he was illegally employed at Parrot Cay
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Reporter
#TurksandCaicos, August 18, 2023 – According to court records, revealed in the testimony of the alleged accused, who speaks English fluently, PHILOMIN AUGUSTIN, 26 he was working as a front office guest service agent at Parrot Cay, luxury resort island in the Turks and Caicos; a serious offence.
Add to being illegally, gainfully employed in the TCI, Augustin was charged with unlawful entry and possession of an irregular certificate; he allegedly held a fraudulent Belonger Status Card.
He was arrested on the Island of North Caicos on July 11th, 2023. Augustin first appeared in court on August 7th and
the matter was adjourned to August 15th 2023.
The Haitian man is seeking legal representation through legal aid therefore the matter was given a further date of August 30; the intent being to proceed and possibly conclude at that time.
The accused outlined a number of areas in his bid to seek sympathy from the Court; a common refrain in the courts now, the dire humanitarian circumstances in his country.
The judge was not moved and told Augustin through an interpreter (despite him speaking English to the court) that “what is alleged against you, if convicted, you may be spending a little while at that location but for now the case is adjourned and you are remanded until the 30th August, 2023”.
The learned Chief Magistrate told him, if he wished to abandon his legal aid application then do so before the 30th and we can proceed with the matter but if not, we have to wait until we get a response from the legal aid board.
It is still not known if any sanctions or chargers had been laid against the Parrot Cay Resort for employing an alleged illegal immigrant, who was allegedly in possession of forged TCI national documents.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, May 9, 2024 – With over 50 percent of rooms sold, the Arc Providenciales has officially been greenlit for construction.
The Arc is part of the South Bank development set on the south coast of Providenciales which in total has already sold $ 250,000,000 worth of real estate.
The project offers four different neighborhoods, complete with a private lagoon and man-made islands, which are all selling fast, The Arc, Ocean Estates, which are nearly sold out all clocking between $4 and $14 million in sales, Boat Houses with 34 out of 38 sold and Lagoon Villas which start at $2 million up. 
Described as the heart of the South Bank project, The Arc, named after the gently curving design of the building, will be the Turks and Caicos’ most iconic property according to developers.
In a May 2 webinar attended by Magnetic Media, developers revealed that the building will sport a 150-foot-long pool alongside a man-made beach protected by a concrete sea wall but still connected to the open ocean.
The beach is due for completion by November with groundbreaking for the Arc set for the second quarter of this year. The Arc, like many newer TCI properties, will be part residential, part hotel. It’s the last property in the development and the feather in the cap of developer Ingo Reckhon.
Included in the sky villas, which are the most exclusive of the rooms on the Arc, will be indoor-outdoor kitchens, hot tubs, pools, outside gardens, boat slips, and the Turks and Caicos’ first-ever boat concierge service.
It is to be managed by Grace Bay Resorts.
“Both of us are Turks and Caicos companies operating here for over 30 years. We both believe in our people and we hire local employees,” said a representative from Grace Bay Resorts during the meeting. In attendance were dozens of homeowners who have bought into the TCI dream ’live South Bank.’
New construction is a major contributor to stamp duties in the Turks and Caicos and enriches the real estate market in which resale properties are few and far between. The government expects that it will collect over US$50 million in stamp duty taxes from land sale transactions in the 2024/25 financial year.
By ANDREW COAKLEY
Bahamas Information Services
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas — Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey says Grand Bahama is finally on the move, “the environment is shifting, investor confidence continues to grow; buildings are going up and, in some instances,
coming down; events are happening; properties are selling, apartments are rented, and homes being purchased, and Grand Bahamians are returning home!”
Minister Moxey was the guest speaker at the 2024 Freeport Business Expo, which was held at Grand Lucayan Resort on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
The event attracted several local small and medium sized businesses with booths to present their products and services. The event was held in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry for Grand Bahama, the Grand Bahama Port Authority, and other partners.
The Grand Bahama Minister noted that her government is focused on all opportunities for the growth and development of Grand Bahama. “My ministry continues to partner with the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation to promote Grand Bahama Island
to the world for tourism and other developments,” said Minister Moxey. “We are in constant dialogue with the cruise lines, the airlines, the tour operators, and other investors and developers, to ensure that the $2B currently in progress, is expedited.
“Tourism is on the move; Grand Bahama is on the move. It is happening, and we want our people to be prepared for it, so much that the Government of The Bahamas — a collaboration between the Ministry for Grand Bahama and the Ministry of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation – has already held two Entrepreneurial Expos for the year. One in West Grand Bahama and the other in Freeport.”
Minister Moxey is convinced that this is the “turn-around” season for the Second City, pointing out that one could feel the change in the air. As such, she said the atmosphere is conducive for collaboration between innovative thinkers, who recognize the potential of Grand Bahama.
In addition to the previous business expos held across the island, last year, the Ministry for Grand Bahama launched the “Empower Grand Bahama Micro-Business Grant Programme” to encourage new and existing entrepreneurs to create immersive experiences, services, and authentic products, all uniquely Bahamian and attractive to visitors.
During that time 149 micro-grants were awarded to Tour & Experience Providers, Creatives/Artisans, and Authentic Food & Beverage Providers. Relief grants were also extended to Straw and Farmer’s Market Vendors, and to Junkanoo groups to help them rebuild after Hurricane Dorian. “And my ministry continues to work closely with the Ministry of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation to promote Grand Bahama as a tourism and investment destination to overseas markets,” said Minister Moxey.
“On the ground, we have cleaned and restored the Bahama Arts & Craft Center and the surrounding property, heritage and cultural sites from east to west through the ‘Beautiful Grand Bahama’ Program, and supported cultural festivals like Pelican Point Coconut Festival, McLean’s Town Conch Cracking, Goombay Summer, and others so that visitors and residents can enjoy events celebrating our Bahamian heritage.”
Minister Moxey revealed the staging of a future expo, called the Grand Expo, set to take place on July 5th, leading up to the country’s Independence. The Expo will be hosted by the Collab Unit of the Ministry of Grand Bahama, under the theme “Well coming home!” It
will feature government agencies, like the Tourism Development Corporation, Bahamas Development Bank, Bahamas Mortgage Corporation, Small Business Development Center, as well as GBPA, DEVCO, Invest Grand Bahama, organizations involved in major developments on the island, real estate companies, land developers, and other organizations to allow individuals to see the vast opportunities.
The initiative is designed to become a catalyst to cause Grand Bahamians to return home. Minister Moxey noted that with a population decline to 47,000 and a capacity to easily service over 250,000 people, it’s time for residents to return home to Grand Bahama.
“There has never been a better time,” she added. “So, this is a clarion call… if it’s been over 20 years, or five years, after Dorian, or even one year… to you the Grand Bahama Diaspora, it’s time to come home!”
PHOTO CAPTIONS
Header: Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey, who was the guest speaker at the Freeport Business Expo 2024, said that Grand Bahama is on the move and that investor confidence continues to grow. The Business Expo was held at the Grand Lucayan Resort on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
1st insert: Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey gets the feel of a new model ATV which was on display at the 2024 Freeport Business Expo on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Grand Lucayan Resort. President of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Ian Rolle and other GBPA Executives look on.
2nd insert: President of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Ian Rolle explains the concept of a new business recently launched in Freeport, during the 2024 Freeport Business Expo at the Grand Lucayan Resort on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
3rd insert: Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey is fascinated by the concept of one of the new proposed business ventures set to be implemented and opened in Freeport in the near future, during a tour of the businesses presented at the 2024 Freeport Business Expo at the Grand Lucayan Resort on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
4th insert: Glendia Sweeting, Manager of Quality Assurance and Special Projects of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (right) welcomes Minister for Grand Bahama, Ginger Moxey (left) through the display expo in the ballroom of Grand Lucayan Resort following the official opening of the 2024 Freeport Business Expo on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
(BIS photos by Lisa Davis)
Bahamas News
National Mangrove Project Flourishes as Grand Bahama Students Plant at Dover Sound and East Grand Bahama
Freeport, Grand Bahama – May 9, 2023 – Showcasing their commitment and dedication, students from Sir Jack Hayward Senior High, Bishop Michael Eldon, and Lucaya International schools in Grand Bahama have planted hundreds of mangroves as part of the National Mangrove Project. Two plantings were held recently at Dover Sound and East Grand Bahama, two areas where mangrove
forests were devastated during the passage of Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
The National Mangrove Project, a collaborative effort between Waterkeepers Bahamas (WKB), the Forestry Unit, and the 50th Independence Secretariat, continues to underscore the pivotal role of Bahamian students in conservation efforts. Students have embraced their roles as stewards of coastal ecosystems, actively participating in mangrove propagation and outplanting. Their involvement is a source of pride for the nation and a beacon of hope for the future of our coastal ecosystems.
Since its inception in October 2023, the project has been instrumental in empowering schools across The Bahamas to establish mangrove nurseries. Students diligently care for the red mangrove propagules until they are ready for outplanting, amplifying the project’s impact on coastal restoration and environmental education. In April 2024, six months after receiving their kits, Grand Bahama students significantly contributed, furthering the project’s mission.
Andurah Daxon, Waterkeepers Bahamas Programs Coordinator, praised the students’ unwavering dedication: “These students have
shown remarkable commitment and dedication. Their efforts are a testament to the power of youth engagement in environmental conservation. Through hands-on activities like mangrove propagation and planting, they actively contribute to coastal restoration and develop a profound connection to their natural surroundings, paving the way for a more sustainable future.”
The outplanting events in Grand Bahama followed a successful initiative in March when four New Providence schools participated in planting mangroves at Adelaide Pond. Seven schools have completed the process, and eight schools on Andros, The Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera and Exuma are currently growing their propagules for future outplanting.
Ni’kolaus Cartwright, Bishop Michael Eldon’s Student Nursery Manager, said: “Witnessing the growth and development of our mangrove propagules has been truly inspiring. Primary, junior, and senior high school students have poured their hearts and efforts
into caring for these precious seedlings. It’s all a part of our commitment to being an eco-school and maintaining a sense of pride and responsibility for our environment.”
Follow Waterkeepers Bahamas on Facebook to stay updated on the progress of school nurseries and upcoming outplanting events. Join us in celebrating the National Mangrove Project’s success and the dedication of Bahamian students to safeguarding our precious coastal ecosystems. Your support and engagement are crucial to our mission.
Photo Captions:
Header: Students receive instructions from Waterkeepers Bahamas Mangrove Nursery Coordinator Javan Hunt at Dover Sound.
1st insert: Year 10 students from Lucaya International School share a laugh in the mud as they plant mangroves at Dover Sound.
2nd insert: Jack Hayward Senior High students prepare to plant in East Grand Bahama with Waterkeepers Bahamas Program Coordinator Andurah Daxon.
3rd insert: Bishop Michael Eldon Warriors feeling proud after planting mangroves at Dover Sound.
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