News
FIRST FOCUS FOR PARNELL: “LISTEN”
New PDM Leader says rebuilding the party begins with hearing its members—and the people.
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — Newly elected People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) Leader Doug Parnell says his first priority is neither launching attacks on the Government nor unveiling sweeping policy proposals.
Instead, he says his first assignment is simple.
Listen.
In his first interview since delegates elected him leader of the opposition party, Parnell told Magnetic Media that rebuilding the PDM begins
by rebuilding trust—first within the party itself and then across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“My first step is unity inside the party, then renewed connection with the people outside the party,” Parnell said.
Returning PDM Leader Doug Parnell once again takes the helm of a party seeking to recover from successive general election defeats and reconnect with voters who have repeatedly chosen the governing Progressive National Party.
Parnell says that work begins by listening.
His immediate plans include meetings with former party leaders, elected members, officers, candidates, caretakers, branch representatives, youth, women and supporters across the islands before expanding those conversations to the wider public.
“We must listen internally first, then take that same spirit of listening to the country,” he explained.
While many expected the new opposition leader to use his first interview to sharply criticize the Washington Misick administration, Parnell deliberately shifted the conversation away from partisan politics.
“I do not want to make this only about the PNP,” he said.
“The more important issue is what the people of this country are experiencing.”
Instead, he outlined what he believes are the issues weighing most heavily on the public: rising living costs, housing affordability, crime, pressures facing local businesses and uncertainty among young people about whether they have a meaningful future in their own country.
“The issue is not political quarrelling,” he said. “The issue is that too many people feel the country is moving, but they are being left behind.”
He also argued that a widening wealth gap has emerged and said the government has failed to adequately address it.
Asked why he decided to seek the party’s leadership again after spending years largely outside the political spotlight.
“I disagree with that characterization,” he responded.
He acknowledged that anyone involved in public life experiences moments of disappointment but said those moments should never outweigh one’s responsibility to serve.
“Frustration does not remove responsibility,” he said.
“I am not here for personal glory. I am here to steady the ship and help rebuild trust.”
That theme of stability and unity echoed throughout his responses.
Parnell repeatedly stressed that the leadership contest is now behind the party and that healing divisions must become the immediate focus.
“The contest is over. The work of unity begins now.”
He said delegates placed their confidence in him because they believed he understood the party’s history and was prepared to work with supporters and former rivals alike.
“We cannot afford division. We cannot afford bitterness,” he said, adding that the country deserves a serious and united opposition capable of holding any government accountable.
For Parnell, the task ahead extends beyond rebuilding party structures.
He says the PDM must become more visible, more connected and more responsive to the everyday concerns of Islanders.
“What I bring is steadiness, experience and a willingness to listen,” he said.
“The PDM has a proud history, but the public wants to see us more present, more united and more connected to the issues affecting their daily lives.”
The new leader insists the effort is larger than any individual.
“This is not about one man,” Parnell said. “It is about bringing the PDM together again so we can serve the people better.”
Whether that message resonates with voters will unfold over the months ahead.
For now, Doug Parnell has made one thing unmistakably clear.
His first order of business as leader of the People’s Democratic Movement is to listen.
After demolition
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 17 July 2026: The Planning Department, with support from the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), and the Crown Land Unit conducted a coordinated enforcement operation on Thursday, 2 July 2026, resulting in the demolition of six unauthorised structures on private property at Block and Parcel 60502/48. Security for the operation was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
The enforcement action followed the issuance of an Enforcement Notice by the Planning Department on 29 January 2026, advising the persons responsible for the structures that they had been erected without the necessary planning approval and were required to be removed. Following the expiration of the compliance period, a multi-agency operation was organised to carry out the demolition.
Before demolition activities commenced, personnel conducted a comprehensive inspection of the site to confirm that all structures were unoccupied and free of gas cylinders or other hazardous materials. These precautionary measures were undertaken to safeguard the welfare
of both the enforcement teams and the public while ensuring the operation was carried out safely and efficiently.
Upon completion of the exercise, participating agencies returned to Police Tactical Headquarters for a debrief, marking the successful conclusion of another coordinated enforcement effort.
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands reminds members of the public that all construction activities must receive the appropriate planning approvals before work begins. The Planning Department will continue to work alongside its partner agencies to enforce the Planning Ordinance, promote orderly development and ensure that construction throughout the Islands complies with the applicable laws and regulations.
Members of the public are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the planning approval process and to seek guidance from the Planning Department before undertaking any development to avoid enforcement action and loss of money invested.
News
DDME’s Hurricane Hunt Scavenger Hunt Sparks Community Spirit and Storm Preparedness in Providenciales
Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies: Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — Fifteen teams raced across Providenciales on Saturday July 4th for the inaugural DDME Hurricane Hunt, a community scavenger hunt designed to combine friendly competition with hurricane preparedness education.
Teams were given a bag of supplies and 15 cryptic clues, participants had less than two hours to pinpoint locations and collect hurricane must-haves; including water jugs, shovels, flashlights and other supplies that every household should have on hand ahead of a storm.
The challenge tested not only participants’ local knowledge and navigation skills, but also their teamwork under time pressure; all while reinforcing practical lessons about what it takes to stay ready when a storm approaches.
Beyond the hunt itself, the event drew a lively crowd of families and supporters who turned out to enjoy a full day of festivities. Attendees took part in games, received free gifts, face painting, canvas painting, bounce houses and visited vendor booths; while enjoying fresh food off the grill throughout the afternoon.
“This event brought together the best of both worlds; a fun, high-energy competition and a meaningful reminder of how important it is for our community to be prepared,” Mr. Aaron Ballantyne, Community Preparedness Officer for Providenciales. “Seeing 15 teams fully engaged, racing to landmarks across the island while learning what belongs in a hurricane kit, was exactly the outcome we hoped for.”
DDME extends their sincere gratitude to the stakeholders that partnered with the event and generously donated their time, resources and
efforts to make it a success: The Turks and Caicos Islands Red Cross, The Oseta Jolly Primary School, The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Do It Center (Building Materials), KB Homes, Digicel TCI, Frost Cay and Clint Grilling and Catering Services, along with all other vendors who were solicited.
The event’s success was also made possible by the private organizations and government departments that opened their locations to serve as scavenger hunt sites, allowing the hunt to unfold across the island; from Chalk Sound to Long Bay.
The quick thinking first place team consisted of; Neekimo King, Keturah Miller-Brown, Lashaunda Dickenson and Kebba Thomas who all walked away with exciting prizes.
Ms. Bernadya Smith, Public Information and Media Manager stated; “With hurricane season underway, this event, along with our recent Hurricane Expo held in Grand Turk and community pop-ups throughout the country, is a testament to DDME’s commitment to blending community engagement with year-round storm readiness. We look forward to making this event an annual staple that brings families together while keeping preparedness at the forefront of every community we serve.
Follow DDME social media pages to stay up to date with upcoming events and to join their weekly quizzes for a chance to win exciting prizes all hurricane season long.
News
Invest TCI Supports Certification of Local Flats Fishing Guides Through MSME Technical Assistance Under Historic TCFFA–TCICC Partnership
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — June 11th 2026 — Invest Turks and Caicos Islands has confirmed a financial commitment of $26,750 through the MSME Programme’s Technical Assistance support to assist 35 participants undertaking STCW and Fly-Fishing Guide Certifications under the Turks and Caicos Fly Fishing Association (TCFFA) and the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) partnership. The support is intended to strengthen the capacity of existing and emerging local operators within the flats-fishing and marine–based tourism sector, helping participants formalize their skills, improve service standards, and access higher-value economic opportunities.
The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between TCFFA and TCICC on 12th May 2026, establishing the
country’s first endorsed and regionally recognized Sustainable Fly-Fishing curriculum. That partnership, funded in part by the UK Government through the Darwin Plus Local initiative, aims to certify twenty or more Turks and Caicos Islanders as Flats-Fishing Guides and Train-The-Trainers — drawn from Providenciales, North Caicos, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, and Grand Turk.
Invest TCI’s contribution ensures that the financial barrier to certification does not prevent qualified candidates from accessing this sector-building opportunity. The support is being provided as technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of existing and emerging MSMEs within the flats-fishing and marine-based tourism sector, enabling participants to formalize, improve service standards, and access higher-value market opportunities.
“We are indeed happy to be a part of this initiative and to provide financial support towards the certification of the 35 participants. Invest TCI is committed to empowering small and medium enterprises and the individuals who drive them – and this programme is a direct example of that commitment in action.” — Alexa Cooper, Vice President – SME Development, Invest Turks and Caicos
Regional studies, including research on The Bahamas’ flats-fishing sector, show that the industry can generate significant economic value through lodging, meals, transport, retail, and guided services. This demonstrates the potential for Turks and Caicos to strengthen its own flats-fishing value chain through professional training, certification, and local enterprise development.
Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos, highlighted the strategic alignment between the investment and Invest TCI’s broader
mission:
“Invest TCI’s mandate is to support a stronger, more diversified economy with Turks and Caicos Islanders positioned to benefit from the industries that shape our future. This initiative directly aligns with that mandate. By supporting certification for local flats-fishing guides, we are helping to convert local knowledge into recognized credentials, strengthen small business capacity, and retain more value within our communities. It is a practical investment in people, enterprise, and sector development.” — Angela Musgrove, CEO, Invest Turks and Caicos
TCFFA President Levardo Talbot, whose association initiated the candidacy process and identified the funded participants, welcomed Invest TCI’s commitment as pivotal to the programme’s reach:
“For the first time, Turks and Caicos Islander fly fishing guides have an endorsed and regionally-recognized, locally delivered pathway into a profession that has long been built on their knowledge but not always on their terms. Invest TCI’s support ensures the people who should be in this room are in this room.” — Levardo Talbot, President, Turks and Caicos Fly Fishing Association
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