News
Statement from the Premier on Recent Heinous Crimes in the Turks and Caicos Islands Fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders
Turks and Caicos, December 20, 2024
Today (Friday December 20) I address you with a heavy heart, but also with unrelenting determination. Our nation is in mourning once again; another life senselessly taken. In the past few days, our nation has endured violent attacks that have robbed families of loved ones, disrupted our communities, and instilled fear in the hearts of our people. These acts of cowardice and brutality are nothing short of an attack on the peace and safety of every law-abiding citizen of these islands. To the families who are grieving, I share my condolences. As a nation, we stand in solidarity with you, sharing in your pain and outrage. Your loss is personal to all of us, and I assure you that justice is being pursued with unrelenting focus.
To those injured or traumatized by these horrific events, we pray for your strength and healing. I have made it abundantly clear to the Governor and Commissioner of Police that swift and impactful action must be taken, and have maintained close communication with them to ensure that when I address our citizens, I am fully informed about the actions being taken. I am assured that good intelligence has been received after yesterday’s shooting and officers and following strong leads in the case.
Following today’s attack, one suspect was detained near the scene, and officers are conducting an aggressive manhunt for the remaining perpetrators. The Commissioner of Police has issued an unequivocal directive: “EVERY police officer is to be on the streets to protect, support, and secure the law-abiding citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Turks and Caicos, I take my responsibility for protecting this country very seriously. We will not sit back and allow criminals to dictate how
we live. My resolve is firm, and my message to the perpetrators is clear – YOUR TIME IS UP. These islands will not be a haven for your lawlessness. The safety of our people is paramount, and this government will use every resource at its disposal to ensure you are brought to justice.
I fully support the Commissioner’s mandate and have reinforced to the Police Force that results are not optional – they are required. I WILL ACCEPT NO EXCUSES. Any resources they need to act decisively will be provided, and their actions must reflect the urgency of this situation.
I want to thank the hardworking officers of the Force. The task is not easy, and your bravery to protect the citizens of this country is appreciated. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force has made commendable progress in recent months: • More than 40 gang members and individuals involved in serious violence have been arrested.
- 15 illegal firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition have been seized.
• There have been several major drug seizures.
• There is a 70% reduction in maritime interdictions within our territorial waters.
While these achievements are significant, they are not enough. The people of these islands deserve swift and decisive action to end this crisis. Let me also say this. To those who aid and abet criminals – whether by providing shelter, resources, or silence – you are part of the problem, and you will be treated as such. The law will reach you, and the consequences will be severe.
To my fellow citizens, this is not just a battle for the Police Force – it is a fight for all of us. Your vigilance and cooperation are essential. These criminals must know that their actions will not be tolerated. We must be as determined to protect our peace as they are to disrupt it. Zero tolerance must be the order of the day. If you see something, you MUST say something. Even the smallest detail could lead to dismantling these criminal networks.
As the manhunt continues, I urge you to be patient and understanding with the increased police presence. Yes, there will be inconvenience, but it is for your safety. In the end, we will win this fight. We will restore peace and safety to our communities.
In the spirit of community and the season upon us, let us offer comfort to the families affected by these tragedies. Together, let us confront this challenge with unity, vigilance, and determination.
May God bless and continue to protect these beloved 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
-
News7 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