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Contractors finally secured for Provo Landfill; New Managers start in March

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Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

#TurksandCaicos, January 19, 2024 – “It’s a good day. It is a day that we have been waiting for for a long time.”

Those were the words coming from Kyle Knowles, Wheeland’s Elected Representative and the Government’s lead on Solid Waste Management for the Turks and Caicos Islands as he spoke during the January 18 press conference, introducing the company expected to fix his constituency’s biggest issue, the Wheeland Dump.

Of TCI Green Ecological Corporation Limited, who secured the $2.9 million contract, he said, “We do count it a pleasure to have new partners on the ground with us– in order to get it right we needed to find the right partners. We needed to make sure that in executing we dotted all our I’s and crossed all our T’s and got value for dollar.”  he stressed, .

The Member of Parliament, who lives in Wheeland, has first hand experience of the years of horrors – just like all of the other residents – of the smoke, smell, and proximity of the Providenciales Landfill, aka, the Dump.

With the onboarding of TCI Green Ecological, that should change, or so the MP hopes.

“The environmental hazards, health risks, and all of the things that have concerned you are shortly going to be addressed and to my estimation, alleviated once and for all.” he continued “We do understand that patience was running thing but again bear with us as we– move forward to reforming solid waste in the TCI.”

As head of the Solid Waste Taskforce, Knowles thanked Ministry of Health technocrats for their work and referenced the ongoing Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Solid Waste Consultation which is about 60 percent complete.

“Upon Completion, the CDB will provide a comprehensive tender of a solid waste management building design for the Turks and Caicos. Again, where we are right now is addressing the short and medium challenges that plague us at the Provo dump site,” he continued “We have to deal with the current issues and manage the medium issues while we look to the long-tern issues and I think it’s important for us to internalize it and make sure that this government sees it through.”

Shaun Malcolm, TCI Minister of Health, was also at the event and explained what the waste numbers looked like locally.

“As of April 2019, the Department estimates a daily solid waste production of approximately 335 tons a day. However, the site, covering approximately 66 acres, has the potential for expansion to accommodate the growing waste management needs of our community,” he said.

The hiring of TCI Green Ecological Corporation Limited ends a six year gap where there was no dedicated manager for the landfills in both Providenciales and Grand Turk.  This new deal, to the disappointment of some residents, will not include Grand Turk.

Minister Malcolm did however mention an upcoming recycling partnership between the government and Carnival Cruises for the Capital, which is also distressed by the long standing issues attached to poor solid waste management there.

The new contractors will take over the Providenciales Landfill on March 5.

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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