News
TCI Mortgage Corporation established as Community Projects put on the back burner
Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#TurksandCaicos, March 26, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos now has a Mortgage Corporation Fund, established through an act of parliament on Monday March 25 to the tune of $7 million dollars and aimed at promoting and encouraging more home ownership in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
While the notion of the Fund was embraced by representatives in the House of Assembly, there was vocal resistance to where the monies to prop up the Fund were pulled from; 12 community projects which failed to materialize during this fiscal year have now been scrapped, at least for now.
“The PNP government is doing the right thing for the wrong reasons,” said Edwin Astwood, Leader of the Opposition, in response to our question about his party’s support of the Fund.
“They have no policy, no plan, no guidelines, no terms of reference, nothing for the establishment of this.”
It took the passage of a fourth Budget Supplementary, which re-allocated the monies from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development. Listed in the Supplementary Appropriation papers as “projects to be re-assessed and re-appropriated” were the $1.5 million enhancement and restoration of Conch Ground in South Caicos; $2.7 million for the construction of a Community Center in Bottle Creek, North Caicos; $800,000 for the Bambarra Beach huts renovation in Middle Caicos; $650,000 for upgrade to the Bight Park in Providenciales; $550,000 refurbishment of the Horse Stable Beach complex, in North Caicos; $550,000 renovation of the Fuller and Clementina Walkin Park in Blue Hills, Providenciales; $250,000 refurbishment of the Sylvia Melhado
Aged Care Center and a combined $365,000 for four vehicles, specifically a vehicle for the Health Promotions and Advocacy Unit; a bus for the Immigration Department and two wheelchair accessible vans; one of them for the SNAP Center in Provo and the other for the Eliza Basden Aged Care Center in South Caicos.
“I did not support it,” said Astwood, explaining that, “to purchase a wheelchair accessible van should not take 365 days and have to be brought back. That was one of the 12, total adding up to some $7M.”
With mere days to go in the 2023-2024 fiscal period, the PNP Administration laid its fourth Budget Supplementary which was not adding to national spending, it was shifting millions of unspent dollars around before the sun completely sets on the Budget Year on Sunday March 31.
The aim of the Mortgage Fund is frustrate the unhealthy, excessive cost of housing as the Turks and Caicos faces a crisis when it comes to demand for affordable housing. A significant barrier to addressing this very serious concern, as the Turks and Caicos economy experiences exponential growth is funding.
During the July 2023 launch of the National Housing Policy, it was announced that a survey found too many residents were paying in excess of 50 percent of their income on housing, 21 percent were residing in homes which were in need of repair and nearly 70 percent were looking to buy their own homes within the next five years.
But there is little hope of affordable financing for home purchases or home renovations; banks were criticised at the event during a Q&A period for unfriendly lending terms.
With the cost of living considerably higher in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the banking representative explained that among the considerations at play was the salaries of public sector workers, in particular.
Minimum wage and public sector salaries have now been raised by the Government and this newest Budget Supplementary has given money to jump start the corporation, which now makes up part of the National Wealth Fund.
“The Fund shall consist of the Stabilisation Fund; Infrastructure and Competitiveness Fund; Heritage Fund and Mortgage Corporation Fund.”
The Department of Housing, last July had informed that 32 percent of survey participants wanted the Government to get involved; hoping for benevolence which would turn home ownership dreams to reality.
CAPTION:
Bambarra Beach Huts in January 2021, before a fire ravaged the cute, colourful vendor stalls in April the following year. Budgeting for development of the site is again delayed, even as Bambarra in Middle Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands has now captured the title of #2 Best Beach in the Caribbean in USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice awards. PHOTO BY TCI TOURIST BOARD.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
