News
Contractors express discontent about Contract Award System
Dana Malcom
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, January 20, 2024 – Despite government efforts to bridge the gap between local contractors and tenders, contractors in the Turks and Caicos Islands say they are still frustrated with the system.
“Some of these construction projects have already started so $800 million is not available and the person who will get these contracts will not give Turks Islanders the jobs let’s be – real,” one resident complained.
The conversation was sparked again when Jamell Robinson, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure
Development, (PPID) called on the contractors to attend meetings from January 3-11 in all five island communities to help them properly create and submit tender applications.
Enduring complaints from some residents who reached out to the news team included concerns that even with properly submitted tenders, locals were overlooked. Additionally, other residents expressed concern that for the larger contracts, won by overseas contractors, enough Turks and Caicos Islanders were not being considered for secondary jobs.
In January 2022, a Contractors Association had been announced as under construction by some locals, to help organize and protect local builders. At that time the government had been in the consultation phase for a new Construction Contractors’ Bill.
Over the past year, several government-contractor sessions have been held including the annual Contractors Symposium where Robinson updated on the bill which is now in the draft stage.
Even with the shared concerns, dialogue between the government and contractors is progressing. When we spoke to the Minister of PPID about the meeting, he said
“The meeting was excellent and the presentations were well received by the contractors. There were a lot of questions about the tender process that were answered. I’m happy with the outcome.”
It’s not just government tenders that contractors are hoping to get in on. They also want to be considered for major private constructions. This has been a long-standing complaint of local contractors who feel they are often left out of the multi-million dollar construction industry in the Turks and Caicos Islands. New construction is the backbone of real estate in the country according to realtors who say resale is low in the TCI.
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.
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.”
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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