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Turks and Caicos Islands Government Awarded the 2024 Transformative Solution Award

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PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF

DIGITISATION AND E-GOVERNMENT

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

 

 

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 18 October 2024: The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCIG) was honoured with the 2024 Transformative Solution Award during the Hyland Innovation Awards programme at Community LIVE 2024, held from 22 –26 September. Hyland, the leading global provider of intelligent content solutions, announced the winners of its annual Innovation Awards at the Community LIVE user event.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) was facing several challenges with existing data and IT systems, including:

  • Inefficient Manual Processes: Reliance on manual, paper-based processes in various departments led to slow processing times, high error rates, and a lack of transparency.
  • Long Wait Times: Citizens experienced long wait times for services such as business licenses, citizenship applications, and accessing public records.
  • Data Fragmentation and Security Concerns: Important records were fragmented across departments with limited accessibility and inadequate security measures.
  • Record Vulnerability: Physical documents were susceptible to damage, loss, and theft, posing a risk to the integrity and availability of crucial records.
  • Limited Public Access: Many government services were not accessible online, requiring citizens to visit government offices in person.
  • Resource Constraints: Outdated IT infrastructure hindered the government’s ability to provide high-quality public services.

Using the Hyland Solution to address these challenges, the TCIG, in partnership with Patterson Pope (P2), implemented the Hyland OnBase platform. This allowed the government to develop a digital deployment platform to manage content and processes digitally and automated departmental workflows – streamlining operations or business license applications, immigration services and more. Other key components included:

  • Electronic Forms and Approvals: Facilitated a seamless transition from paper-based to digital operations.
  • Real-Time Reporting and Dashboards: Enabled data-driven decision-making.
  • Secure Access and Audit Trails: Enhanced security measures to protect sensitive information.
  • Onsite Document Scanning: Digitised 1,000,000 citizenship and naturalisation records, with ongoing scanning of 1,000,000 land registry records.

The implementation of the Hyland OnBase solution resulted in several transformative outcomes for the TCIG, including:

  • Increased Efficiency and Productivity: Reduced processing times for various government services.
  • Enhanced Accessibility and Convenience: Majority of services are now accessible online, reducing the need for in-person visits.
  • Improved Data Management and Security: Centralised digital repository and enhanced security protocols.
  • Reduced Record Vulnerability: Digitised records are protected against natural disasters and other threats.
  • Cost Savings and Resource Optimisation: Significant cost savings by reducing reliance on physical documents.
  • Positive Public Impact: Improved citizen experience and greater trust in government services.
  • Support for Future Growth: Flexible and scalable platform supports ongoing innovation and improvement efforts.

These transformative changes have positioned the TCIG as a leader in e-governance within the region, showcasing a commitment to modernisation and excellence in public service delivery.

Bahamas News

Royal Bahamas Police Force – ARRAIGNMENT NOTICE

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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

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Saunders Tells Caribbean Media: Be Seen, Be Heard – But What About TCI

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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

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Bahamas News

Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday

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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

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