News
Ministry of Physical Planning Concludes Fact-finding Mission
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 9 April 2025: The Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development of the Turks and Caicos Islands has successfully concluded its fact-finding mission in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, from 26 – 29 March 2025. This mission aimed to enhance collaboration and share best practices in housing and infrastructure development.
Led by the Honourable Arlington Musgrove, the Minister, the delegation included Permanent Secretary Bridgette Newman, the Director of
Housing and Community Renewal, and other key officials, along with representatives from the Turks and Caicos Mortgage Corporation.
The delegation engaged in constructive discussions with the Honourable Keith Bell, Minister of Housing, and his team, focusing on critical housing policies and ongoing projects. The Bahamas has implemented a comprehensive housing policy designed to increase the availability of affordable housing. Bahamian officials highlighted challenges such as land availability, regulatory hurdles, and funding constraints, which mirror those faced in the Turks and Caicos Islands, suggesting potential avenues for collaboration.
The team also met with the Managing Director of the Mortgage Corporation to explore sustainable housing solutions and public-private partnerships. These interactions provided valuable insights into community engagement and the advantages of collaborative development initiatives. Additionally, the Minister and his team met with representatives from the Ministry of Works, where discussions emphasized the importance of integrating disaster resilience into infrastructure planning; an essential consideration for the Turks and Caicos Islands given its vulnerability to natural disasters.
Throughout the mission, the delegation visited various sites to observe construction methods and the impact of ongoing projects. Site visits to affordable housing initiatives showcased innovative construction techniques that could be adopted in the Turks and Caicos Islands to improve sustainability and reduce costs. The team also noted the use of advanced materials and technologies in ongoing infrastructure projects, which could enhance the durability and efficiency of initiatives in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Networking with local stakeholders further strengthened relationships, promoting collaboration between the two governments. Engaging
local communities in infrastructure projects emerged as a best practice that could lead to improved project outcomes and community support, as well as opportunities for public-private partnerships in housing and infrastructure projects to leverage additional funding and expertise.
In a formal statement, Minister Musgrove remarked, “This mission has been essential in identifying effective strategies that can be tailored to our unique context. By fostering collaboration with our Bahamian counterparts, we are taking significant steps toward enhancing housing for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. We remain resolute in our commitment to sustainable development, and we look forward to putting these insights into action.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands remains committed to enhancing housing and infrastructure for its residents and looks forward to implementing the insights gained from this successful mission.
For more information, please contact the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
1st insert: TCI Delegation Inspects Housing Methods & Techniques in the Bahamas
2nd insert: TCI Delegation with Bahamian Mortgage Corporation
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
