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More Promises for Capital Projects in 2024

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

#TurksandCaicos, May 9, 2024 – PNP Administration says the 2024/25 budget is one for the people and Washington Misick, TCI Premier laid out the $485 million allocation detailing what will directly benefit each island from Grand Turk to Providenciales. Another $19.7 million in new spending was allocated to the total budget of 63 million for capital projects.

Big ticket items to be completed this year under the capital expenditure umbrella include the National Identification System and the Digitalization of Border Services with allocations of $3.7 million and $12.6 million respectively.

The $12.6 million allocation for Border Services will be split over three budget cycles

“We have ensured that the capital program brings some improvement to each island,” the Premier maintained.

The promises may not hold as much weight for some with the government consistently failing to spend its allocations for capital projects. In 2023/24 only $29 million of the $57 million allocated was spent

Misick sought to explain this “The Public Sector Investment Programme for 24/25 includes projects that started in the last financial year. For some of these projects, there was no tender take-up and for others, the tenders received did not satisfy the evaluation criteria.”

The Capital Projects the Premier listed include:

Grand Turk and Salt Cay

  • Construction of West Road and Pond Street Bridges – $650,000
  • Construction of drains and site work at the Helena Jones Robinson High School and remediation works on the Ponds. – $3.6 Million
  • Upgrading of roads, bridges, and ponds such as Mission Folly and West Road  $3 Million
  • Grand Turk Market and Welcome Centre – $1 Million
  • Matthew Canal works, Salt Cay – $800,000

Several of these including Pond Street works are longstanding projects

South Caicos 

  • Improvements to Cockburn Harbour – $500,000
  • Solar Street Lights – $250,000
  • Redevelopment of the Conch Ground Facility $1.5 Million
  • Redevelop Regatta Village -$1 Million
  • Community Road Repairs – $3.5 Million

North and Middle Caicos

  • Renovation of the Bambara Beach Vendor Market – $750,000
  • Solar street lights – $250,000
  • Whitby Roads – $1.1 Million
  • Renovate and refurbish the Horse Stable Beach Community Park – $500,000
  • Bottle Creek Community Centre -$1.5 million

Nearly all of these projects have been budgeted for before notably, Bambara and Horse Stable Beach Projects.

Providenciales

  • New drainage and other improvement work -$3.4 Million
  • Pave and repair roads – $4.9 million
  • Upgrade recreational parks in Blue Hills, Kew Town, Five Cays, and the Bight – $500,000
  • Leeward and Long Bay community roads and solar lights – $500,000
  • Community Centre for the Bight – $1.5 million
  • Solar streetlights for the Bight – $250,000
  • Refurbishing of the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex roof and floor- $800,000
  • Road works in Kew Town, including pedestrian crossing – $350,000
  • Solar street lights for Kew Town – $250,000
  • Way finder signage for Blue Hills – $150,000
  • Solar street lights for Blue Hills – $250,000
  • Mobile Clinic for Blue Hills – $300,000
  • Solar street lights for Sapodilla Bay – $250,000
  • Paving of roads in Wheeland – $500,000
  • Solar street lights and recreational pavilion for Wheeland– $750,000

In tabling these projects, Misick admitted that the government has a serious issue with delivering large-scale projects.

“We have a capacity problem. We are facing tremendous challenges in developing and implementing big-ticket projects. Public servants are working hard, but the onerous processes, insufficient resources, inadequate technology, outdated laws, an unwillingness to adapt by some, and bureaucracy are frustrating delivery.

That must change.”

The Premier revealed that $300,000 has been set aside in an effort to make the procurement process smoother. Another $1.8 million will be spent on project initiation and project development plans. Misick says that this will allow the government to plan projects a year in advance, speeding up delivery.

With this being the final budget before elections the government has one financial year to complete the projects that they have not been able to pin down since 2021.

Bahamas News

Bahamas Government to meet with SpaceX

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PRESS STATEMENT

Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation

 

The Bahamas, February 6, 2025 – A delegation inclusive of all relevant agencies is meeting with SpaceX officials as The Islands of The Bahamas finalise preparations for the historic landing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster on February 17.

This landmark moment will make The Bahamas the first international destination to host the Falcon 9 rocket booster landings. This historic event, set to take place off the coast of The Exumas, marks a significant leap for The Bahamas into the realm of space tourism.

The collaboration between Bahamian officials and SpaceX positions The Bahamas as a key player in the growing space tourism industry, with 20 scheduled landings to take place in Bahamian waters on autonomous drone ships. The country will be the exclusive location to witness these remarkable events, offering unique economic opportunities and advancements in technology.

The delegation includes senior representatives from the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, the Bahamas Air Navigation Services Authority, the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection, and the Port Department.

The relevant senior officials will remain on hand during the launch sequence and launch and ascent. They are fully engaged to ensure all safety, regulatory, and operational measures are in place for the scheduled landing. Every effort is being made to facilitate this historic event while maintaining the highest standards.

Further details regarding the landing and related activities will be forthcoming.

The Hon. I. Chester Cooper
Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation

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News

Decomposing Body Found

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***MEDIA RELEASE***

 

Turks and Caicos, February 5, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is investigating the discovery of a decomposing body found in the vicinity of Delco Yard, Snake Hill, Blue Hills.

At approximately 7:45 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2025, officers received information regarding the presence of a body in a ditch near Delco Yard.  A team of officers and the TCI Regiment were deployed to the scene.

Upon arrival, officers confirmed the presence of a deceased male wearing black jeans and blue Jordan sneakers. The deceased had a black locks hairstyle. The body was in an advanced state of decomposition.

If you have any information that could assist in identifying the deceased or in the ongoing investigation, please call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 (TIPS).

Information can also be shared via the Crime Stoppers P3 app.

Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

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Caribbean News

S Hotel Kingston Partners with Bob Marley Foundation to Celebrate Kingston as the Cultural Capital

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KINGSTON, JAMAICA, [February 6, 2024] – In celebration of Bob Marley’s 80th birthday, S Hotel Kingston has partnered with the Bob Marley Foundation to launch an immersive “Explore Kingston” initiative, spotlighting the city’s rich cultural heritage. The collaboration features a dynamic new video that showcases Kingston in the world’s music culture.

Widely regarded as the heart of Jamaica’s artistic and musical legacy, Kingston takes center stage in this captivating video, which highlights iconic sites such as the Bob Marley Museum, Trench Town Culture Yard, Tuff Gong International, and Kingston Creative’s Water Lane Art Walk. The video offers an inspiring glimpse into the city’s cultural essence and its deep connection to reggae music.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Bob Marley Foundation to bring this experience to life,” said Christopher Issa, CEO of S Hotels Jamaica. “This initiative is not only a celebration of Bob Marley’s birthday but also a tribute to the creative spirit that makes Kingston the beating heart of Jamaica.”

S Hotel Kingston embraces this cultural legacy throughout the property. Each room is equipped with a Bob Marley record player. The hotel’s Strings Cafe and Bar features a stunning zinc mural with an impression of Bob Marley, serving as a striking backdrop that pays homage to Kingston’s artistic roots, along with an 8-ft guitar. Additionally, a Bob Marley statue stands as a tribute to the legendary artist, further reinforcing the hotel’s deep connection to Jamaica’s music history.

For more information on S Hotel Kingston, please visit http://www.shotelkingston.com. To view the “Explore Kingston” video, follow S Hotel Kingston on social at @shotelkingstonjm.

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