News
PLANNING DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES WORLD TOWN PLANNING DAY
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PREMIER AND MINISTRY OF PHYSICAL PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 14th November 2024 – On Friday, November 8, 2024, the Planning Department within the Office of the Deputy Premier and Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development celebrated World Town Planning Day under the theme, “Homes Start with Planning: Housing that Meets the Needs of Our Communities – Equitable, Inclusive, and Sustainable for All.” This year’s observance highlighted the pivotal role of urban planning in creating accessible, livable, and resilient communities that
cater to the needs of our people.
World Town Planning Day, celebrated annually on November 8, underscores the impact of thoughtful urban and rural planning on communities’ quality of life, environmental sustainability, and social equity. This year’s theme reflects a commitment to fostering town planning solutions that are inclusive, adaptable, and prepared for future challenges.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Hon. Jamell Robinson addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning in creating sustainable housing solutions within the Turks and Caicos Islands stating:
“The theme for this year’s World Town Planning Day 2024, underscores that sustainable, resilient housing begins with thoughtful, evidence-based planning. The Sustainable National Physical Development Plan 2020 of the TCI embodies the vision and promotes the development in an orderly fashion. The Plan, however is not static, it is dynamic- a living breathing document which may be modified to reflect new, progressive spatial realities. This current modification shows that planning is about envisioning a better future and laying
the groundwork to make it a reality. As we modify our spatial plans, we’re not only adapting to new challenges but also seizing the opportunity to shape healthier, more resilient, and sustainable communities.”
The event featured various activities designed to engage both professionals and the public in understanding and contributing to the future of town planning here in Turks & Caicos Islands, including:
- Panel Discussions: Panelists discussed strategies to address sustainable development. Topics included inclusive design principles, community-driven planning, and building codes both locally and regionally.
- Community Workshops: Local residents participated in interactive sessions, sharing their vision for more inclusive and sustainable neighborhoods. Attendees contributed insights on accessibility, community facilities, and building codes modification. Attendees were taught the history of the Planning Department and how the processes inclusive of the building codes have evolved over the years.
- Youth Engagement: The Turks & Caicos Islands Community College joined the activities focused on introducing students to town planning, including presentations about sustainable urban development.
- Open House: Models were designed and displayed by the Planning Department depicting where we are headed as a country, towards modern, sustainable, futuristic housing
Director of the Planning Deparatment, Mr. Dainer Lightbourne expressed enthusiasm for community participation in shaping future housing initiatives stating: “World Town Planning Day provides a platform for the public to actively participate in the planning process. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, we can ensure that our approach to housing remains responsive, equitable, and sustainable, meeting the unique needs of our growing and diverse population here in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
The Planning Department is dedicated to addressing the urgent need for housing solutions that are both adaptable and environmentally responsible. Housing is a challenge that requires multi-level, collaborative, and holistic approaches bringing together communities, private and public sector actors, and all levels of government. Planners and planning professionals stand ready to play their part in harnessing transformative changes for a better, fairer, more sustainable future. This commitment includes integrating principles of social equity, accessibility, and climate resilience into all planning processes.
The observance of World Town Planning Day reflects the Ministry’s and the Department’s mission to creating a housing landscape where every individual has the opportunity to live in a community that supports their well-being and quality of life. Initiatives as such, reaffirms our commitment to creating vibrant, resilient, and inclusive communities in these Turks and Caicos Islands.
TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Americas has recorded 47,459 confirmed measles cases and 44 deaths in 2026, the region’s highest case count in 22 years, prompting the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to urge stronger vaccination, surveillance and rapid outbreak response.
As of July 18, cases were already more than triple the 15,011 recorded during all of 2025. Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Peru
account for 95% of confirmed cases. Guatemala leads with 30,371 cases and 26 deaths, followed by Mexico with 12,255 cases and 17 deaths.
PAHO classifies the regional public health risk as very high, citing active outbreaks, immunity gaps, international travel and populations with inadequate vaccination coverage.
The organization says prevention starts with vaccination. Countries are being urged to achieve and maintain at least 95% coverage with two doses of measles-containing vaccine, particularly protecting children and under-vaccinated communities.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash.
PAHO is urging health authorities to detect suspected cases early and respond rapidly to stop transmission. Unvaccinated and under-vaccinated people, young children and communities with limited healthcare access face increased risk of severe illness and death.
-
News1 week agoFacts According to the Turks & Caicos Premier About His Constitutional Amendments
-
News1 week ago80 DAYS. $80 MILLION. – PDM Demands Answers from Government
-
News1 week ago“The Contract is The Problem, Not The Hospitals”
-
News1 week ago
Premier Lays Out Cost of Hospital Dispute
-
News6 days agoPAY FIRST. QUESTION LATER.
-
Education1 week agoDr. Candice Williams Appointed First Vice-President of Regional Higher Education Association
-
Health3 days ago47,459 MEASLES CASES, 44 DEATHS ACROSS AMERICAS
-
News3 days agoELECTRICITY BILL SHOCKER: PELICAN ENERGY WARNED GOV’T