TCI News
Marking the 4th Annual National Prayer Breakfast
A NEW CHAPTER UNDER THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – 16 July 2025 – The 4th Turks and Caicos Islands National Prayer Breakfast was held on Saturday, July 5th, at The Shore Club in Providenciales. This year’s event marked a significant milestone as it was hosted for the first time by the Ministry of Home Affairs, under the leadership of Hon. Shaun D. Malcolm, Minister with responsibility for Religious Affairs. Held under the theme “Faith in Action: Healing Our Land, Serving Our People,” the spirit-filled gathering brought together government officials, clergy, and citizens in a morning of reflection, unity, and purpose.
The morning opened with a Flag Parade by the TCI Cadet Corps, followed by musical selections that stirred hearts, including the National Anthem and Song by Mrs. Robyn Forbes and an uplifting performance by the New Turks and Caicos National Choir.
In one of the day’s most memorable moments, Minister Malcolm offered a moving rendition of “When I Remember” before delivering remarks that cast a bold vision for the Religious Affairs mandate:
“Our mandate under Religious Affairs is not ceremonial, it is transformational. We are committed to working side by side with our nation’s
spiritual leaders to confront the moral and social issues of our day, to uplift our communities, and to anchor our development in the enduring principles of faith, unity, and purpose,” Minister Malcolm affirmed.
“As we move forward, our vision is to empower churches, elevate shared values, and heal our land, one prayer, one partnership, one purpose at a time.
The programme was seamlessly moderated by Bishop Dr. C. Alexander Coleta Williams III, who brought a spirit of reverence and clarity to the event. Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, was met with an arousing round of applause following her inspirational remarks, which captured the audience with their sincerity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.
Chief Apostle Raymond Wells of Rhema Wells International delivered a dynamic and timely keynote address that moved the audience to their feet in spirited agreement. Preaching with clarity and conviction, he underscored the divine order required for national progress, emphasizing that effective leadership demands unity, humility, and obedience. Apostle Wells reminded attendees that progress is only possible when there is one clear leader, a shared vision, and a deep commitment to walking faithfully in the roles assigned by God.
The intercessory segment included powerful prayers for the nation, government leaders, youth, frontline workers, and national unity, led by a diverse and representative group of clergy from across the Islands.
This year’s Prayer Breakfast was a resounding success, not only for its powerful spiritual impact, but for its intentional design and wide accessibility. The event was streamed live via Facebook and broadcast across the Islands on Radio Turks and Caicos, ensuring that the messages of hope, leadership, and national healing reached homes, businesses, and communities throughout the Turks and Caicos and beyond.
As the Ministry of Home Affairs assumes stewardship of Religious Affairs, this Prayer Breakfast sets a bold and unifying tone, one grounded in faith, service, and shared vision.
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?
PROVIDENCIALES — New commercial Crown Land applications are facing a six-month pause as the Turks and Caicos Islands Government takes inventory of its holdings.
During Cabinet meetings held July 15 and 16, an immediate six-month moratorium was approved on the acceptance, processing
and approval of new applications for commercial Crown Land grants, leases and allocations.
The pause will remain in place pending completion of the Crown Land Inventory Review. Cabinet’s summary did not state what prompted the review or indicate whether availability of commercial Crown Land is a concern.
The two-day meeting also advanced major consumer legislation. Cabinet approved the National Fair Competition Policy 2026 and drafting instructions for a Fair Competition Ordinance, moving TCI toward stronger consumer protection and fair competition rules.
In Grand Turk, Cabinet approved rezoning land in the North West Suburbs from low-density to medium-density residential use to facilitate a new apartment development.
Cabinet also advanced fisheries reforms, water legislation allowing private and public-private investment, minerals legislation and appointments across tourism, health and finance.
Progress toward establishing a TCI Credit Union was also noted.
PROVIDENCIALES — Major development projects outside Providenciales received Cabinet attention on July 8, with Government approving agreements connected to the redevelopment of Dellis Cay and a resort development in North Caicos.
Cabinet approved a Development Agreement between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Desarrollos Hotelco DC Ltd. and
Desarrollos Hotelco Astoria Ltd. for the redevelopment of Dellis Cay.
The long-discussed private island development sits between Providenciales and North Caicos and its return to Cabinet signals another step toward redevelopment.
Cabinet also approved amendments to an agreement involving SPR LND Ltd. (Royal Reef) and TCIG Development Agreement for a resort/hotel development in North Caicos.
Other decisions included approval of the First Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2026 for onward transmission and the appointment of Cindy Ewing as Chair of the Invest TCI Board, effective August 1 for three years.
Cabinet also noted consultation outcomes concerning changes to business licensing, approved professional membership expenses for qualifying Telecommunications Commission staff and approved advice relating to the Interim Clinical and Estates Services PPP.
The July 8 meeting was chaired by Acting Governor Anya Williams.
Photo Credit: Royal Reef (Keith)
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