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PNP Administration promising DELIVERY in House Opening Throne Speech

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

#TurksandCaicos, September 19, 2023 – While lengthy and containing new information regarding the constitution and healthcare, the 2023 Speech from the Throne served more as a recap of the PNP Administration’s tenure and rehash of already introduced programs, with few fresh ideas and solutions for the most significant issues facing the Turks and Caicos residents.

Penned by Hon Washington Misick, the Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands  and delivered by Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, TCI Governor the over 30-minute long speech touched on a broad swath of issues that residents have expressed concern about including, Healthcare, Education, Infrastructure, the Economy, Cost of Living, Crime and Border Security.

The initiatives addressing these issues however were, for the most part, plans residents had already heard and simply emphasized the fact that the government was ‘working for residents’.

The Governor did reveal several significant pieces of information including that the government :

  • Is in the process of reassessing the delivery of services under the healthcare contract with Interhealth Canada “My government has engaged the services of experts to examine how the agreement with Interhealth Canada is being executed– I will update the House once a report on the way forward is received.”
  • Will bestow a cabinet member with the responsibility for representing the TCI at CARICOM and other regional bodies rather than a UK rep. 
  • Expects to have significant updates on constitutional reform by the end of the year  “A new proposal was submitted to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office– and I am pleased to say the next round of talks is scheduled to take place in the TCI in October 2023. It is my government’s hope that changes should be announced before the end of the calendar year.”
  • Has secured increased funding from the UK for Aerial support. “The UK has committed to fund additional air surveillance assets to support our efforts to maintain full awareness across all our islands.”

The Premier’s speech, delivered on Thursday September 14, 2023, also addressed some of the top issues in the country.

Crime and Border Security.

“My government will not allow criminals to destroy the society we are creating. Everyone should feel safe, secure, and have full access to justice.” Selveratnam said on behalf of Misick. In that vein, the speech revealed that additional CCTV cameras are coming and ‘The UK has committed to fund additional air surveillance assets to support our efforts to enable full marine domain awareness across all of our islands.’

Other previously rolled-out initiatives like new laws extending prison times for firearm holders were also mentioned.

The Economy, 

The Speech indicated that the economy has recovered fully from the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and recorded consistent growth over the last two and a half years. In the same breath, it was revealed that the country had recorded negative growth in the first quarter of 2023.

Two consecutive quarters of negative growth puts a market into recession. TCI revenues were $109.8 million, $3.7 million or 3% below estimates. The government underspent in that quarter as well Total Expenditure was $20.9 million below estimates.

Healthcare,  

“84.6M or 20% of the budget is allocated to health. Despite the huge sums, our people have not always received value for money. That must change.” Selvaratnam read, announcing the probe into the delivery of InterHealth Canada services. The government warned though that this could be a long process.

Education, 

“Proposed amendments to the universities, colleges, training institutes ordinance to improve oversight and accountability of institutes of higher learning in the TCI will be tabled in the House of Assembly shortly. Our special needs school community will see major improvements,” promised the premier through the governor. The special needs school has missed its deadlines so far for completion but TCIG is promising that the wait is almost over and experts are being introduced to consult on its creation.

Infrastructure

The speech addressed significant infrastructure concerns including roads and ports but new initiatives were few. The governor reflected on the already opened Bellefield Landing, the new $50 million port at South Dock, the Providenciales Airport redevelopment and other ongoing upgrades to the airports in South Caicos and Grand Turk.

The Speech emphasized that the government was working for the people of the Turks and Caicos and reaffirmed what it described as its sacred contract with the people.

Crime

Former Police Officer Opens up to Eagle Legal about Frightening Kidnapping and Robbery at Gunpoint; alarmed at TCI Police silence

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Wilkie Arthur

Eagle Legal News

 

Tuesday, April 15, 2025 – Turks and Caicos Islands – In the early hours of Wednesday, April 9, 2025, a former police officer in the Turks and Caicos Islands was the victim of a terrifying robbery and kidnapping in the Dock Yard area, Eagle Legal News Media has learned.

Shortly after 3:00 a.m., the victim had just dropped off his girlfriend near Bible Street (Behind Mara) and returned to his vehicle when he was confronted by a lone, masked man armed with a firearm. The attacker, described as aggressive and agitated, demanded the victim’s wallet, phone, and other valuables. The victim, trying to remain calm, complied. His wallet reportedly contained over $1,000 in cash.

Despite giving up his belongings, the gunman continued to threaten him, demanding more money and pressing the firearm to the victim’s head and body. The victim described the ordeal as intense, saying he felt as if the bullets were already tearing through him due to the attacker’s inexplicable rage.

Although he considered using his police training to subdue the attacker, the victim noticed other men nearby observing the situation without intervening. Concerned for his life, he instead came up with a plan: he told the robber he could take him to an ATM to withdraw more cash.

“I felt like he was going to kill me for more money,” the victim said. “So I told him we could go to the ATM, even though I knew it was closed, just to get out of Dock Yard and buy myself a chance to survive.”

The assailant agreed, and the two drove to a nearby ATM, with the victim behind the wheel and the gunman keeping the firearm aimed at him the entire time, threatening him with violent language. When they arrived and found the ATM closed, the victim seized his moment.

“As soon as I stepped out of the car, I ran like Usain Bolt,” he recounted, “I tore through the bushes straight to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre.”

There, he hid in the brush for a time before emerging to seek help. He contacted authorities from the hospital, where he was treated for minor cuts and bruises sustained during his escape.

Thankfully, he was not shot.

The former officer described his assailant as a male with a mixed Jamaican-Haitian accent who spoke fluent English. The man reportedly told him he was hungry and desperate for money.

He recalled the gunman saying, “If you don’t get me more money, I’ll kill you.”

The assailant fled the scene in the victim’s car, which was later recovered by police in Dock Yard. As of this report, no arrests have been made.

The victim contacted Eagle Legal News after seeing no official police report released about the incident.

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Bahamas News

CARIFTA Games 2025 – Trinidad & Tobago 

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S C H E D U L E    O F    E V E N T S

 

The 2025 CARIFTA Athletics Games will be held at Hasely Crawford Stadium from April 19–21, while the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships take place at the National Aquatic Centre from April 19–22, with Open Water events on April 23 at Five Islands Beach.

Friday April 18, 2025

52nd CARIFTA Athletics Games and the XXXVIII CARIFTA Aquatics Championships Opening Ceremony

  • Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad
  • Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Admission Free

Saturday April 19, 2025

Athletics – Hasely Crawford Stadium: Port of Spain, Trinidad

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

  • Boy’s U20 Decathlon 100m Heats
  • Girl’s U17 High Jump Final
  • Girl’s U17 Javelin Throw Final
  • Girl’s U20 Shot Put Final
  • U17 & U20 100m and 400m Semi-Finals
  • Boy’s U17 Octathlon 100m Heats
  • Boy’s U20 Decathlon Long Jump & Shot Put

Afternoon Session – Starts 4:00 PM

  • Medal Ceremonies
  • U17 & U20 Finals: 100m, 400m, 1500m
  • Girl’s U20 Triple Jump Final
  • Girl’s U17 Discus Final
  • Boy’s U20 Discus & High Jump
  • Boy’s U17 Triple Jump & Shot Put
  • Special Olympics 100m (Girls & Boys)
  • Mixed Open 4x400m Relay Final
  • Pole Vault & Octathlon/Decathlon 400m Heats

Aquatics – National Aquatic Centre: Couva, Trinidad

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

  • Girl’s 800m Freestyle (slowest heats)
  • Boy’s 1500m Freestyle (slowest heats)
  • Prelims:
    • 200m Breaststroke (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
    • 50m Backstroke (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
    • 100m Butterfly (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
    • 4x100m Freestyle Relay (all age groups)

Evening Session – Starts 6:00 PM

  • Girl’s 800m & Boy’s 1500m Freestyle (fastest heats)
  • Finals:
    • 200m Breaststroke
    • 50m Backstroke
    • 100m Butterfly
    • 4x100m Freestyle Relay (all age groups)

Sunday April 20, 2025

Athletics – Hasely Crawford Stadium: Port of Spain, Trinidad

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

  • Boy’s U20 Decathlon 110m Hurdles, Discus, Pole Vault
  • Girl’s U20 Shot Put Final
  • Boy’s U20 Long Jump Final
  • Boy’s U17 Octathlon 110m Hurdles, High Jump
  • Girl’s Open Heptathlon: 100m Hurdles, High Jump
  • U17 & U20 400m Hurdles & 200m Semi-Finals
  • Girl’s U17 Discus Final

Afternoon Session – Starts 4:00 PM

  • Medal Ceremonies
  • U17 & U20 4x100m Relay Semi-Finals
  • Girl’s Open Heptathlon: Shot Put, 200m
  • Boy’s U17 Octathlon: Javelin, 1500m
  • U17 & U20 800m Semi-Finals
  • U17 3000m, U20 3000m, Shot Put, Long Jump, High Jump, Javelin
  • Finals: 400m Hurdles, 4x100m Relays, Mixed 4x400m
  • More Medal Ceremonies

Aquatics – National Aquatic Centre: Couva, Trinidad

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

  • Prelims:
    • 200m Freestyle (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
    • 50m Butterfly (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
    • 100m Backstroke (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
    • 4x100m Medley Relay (all age groups)
  • Slower heats: 400m Individual Medley

Evening Session – Starts 6:00 PM

  • Finals:
    • 200m Freestyle
    • 50m Butterfly
    • 100m Backstroke
    • 4x100m Medley Relay
  • Fastest heats: 400m Individual Medley

Monday April 21, 2025

Athletics – Hasely Crawford Stadium: Port of Spain, Trinidad

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

  • Girl’s U17 & U20 100m Hurdles – Semi-Finals
  • Boy’s U17 & U20 110m Hurdles – Semi-Finals
  • Girl’s Open Heptathlon: Long Jump
  • Girl’s U20 High Jump Final
  • Boy’s U17 Long Jump & Discus Final
  • 4x400m Relay Semi-Finals (U17 & U20 – Girls and Boys)

Afternoon Session – Starts 3:00 PM

  • Medal Ceremonies
  • Finals:
    • All Hurdle Events (U17 & U20)
    • Girl’s U20 Discus Throw
    • Girl’s U17 Triple Jump
    • Boy’s U20 Shot Put
    • Girl’s U17 & Boy’s U20 800m
    • Girl’s & Boy’s U17 and U20 200m
    • Boy’s U20 Triple Jump
    • Girl’s U17 Javelin Final
    • Boy’s U20 5000m
    • Special Olympics 200m (Girls & Boys)
  • Girl’s Open Heptathlon: Javelin & 800m
  • 4x400m Relay Finals (U17 & U20 – Girls and Boys)
  • Closing Ceremony

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Bahamas News

Minister Moxey congratulates Team Bahamas 2025 CARIFTA Grand Bahama contingent

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By LEDEDRA MARCHE
Bahamas Information Services



GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas – Confident that Team Bahamas will once again do the country proud at the CARIFTA Games, Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey told the Grand Bahama contingent worshipping at New Destiny Kingdom Center on Sunday, April 13, 2025 that they were already stars.

The 2025 CARIFTA  Aquatics and Athletics Championships are being held in Trinidad and Tobago from April 19-22.

Minister Moxey reminded the outstanding athletes that it is because of their dedication, discipline and determination they have been chosen and that they symbolize the hope, strength and resilience that the residents of Grand Bahama are known for.

“You athletes are about to represent our beautiful island and proudly carry The Bahamas’ banner with pride at the CARIFTA Games in Trinidad. Today we unite to celebrate this achievement and we want you to know that you are already champions in our eyes,” she said.

Cognizant that their journey has not been easy, Minister Moxey said they stayed the course — rising early, training hard and making sacrifices.

She pointed out that the athletes are now standing on the edge of greatness; carrying their dreams, hopes and pride in Grand Bahama Island with them.

Minister Moxey encouraged the athletes, as they step on to the track, field or into the pool, to represent The Bahamas with excellence.

“Compete with heart and remember that your island and your nation are cheering you on every step of the way. Go forward knowing that you and your coaches are covered in prayer; surrounded by love and supported by a proud Grand Bahama family,” she said.

“May God’s favour go before you, may he protect each of you on this journey and may His Grace carry you to victory.”

Representatives from the City of Freeport Council were also in attendance, and Chief Councillor Kendal Culmer also brought remarks.

PHOTO CAPTION – Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey encouraged the Grand Bahama contingent of Team Bahamas worshipping at New Destiny Kingdom Center on Sunday, April 13, 2025 before they left to compete in the 2025 CARIFTA Aquatics and Athletics Championships in Trinidad and Tobago set for April 19-22.

(BIS Photos/Andrew Miller)

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