Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

The Turks and Caicos Islands need saving according to Edwin Astwood, Opposition Leader and he’s assembled his ‘Avengers’ to do it; a team of 10 district candidates who were unveiled on Monday, May 6 to contest the 2025 general elections. 

“We the PDM want to be those champions for you. We want to be your avenging team to lift the country back up,” said Astwood who is the incumbent for ED 2, Grand Turk South.

The Candidates in question were all allowed to speak:

ED 1 Grand Turk North candidate George Lightbourne, former PNP member and minister now stands ratified by the PDM and said “I am fully aware of the issues affecting our people and fully prepared to tackle them.”

ED 3 South Caicos candidate Hynetta ‘Karen’ Forbes made a vow, “To you the people of South Caicos I promise to be a positive change and an advocate for empowerment for all— to make up for the lack and neglect we have endured over the years.”

ED 4 candidate, contesting North and Middle Caicos, Denaz Williams said “I believe in good representation so try me and I guarantee you will love me.”

ED 5 Leeward and Long Bay hopeful Keith Cox said “I want to make sure my efforts go to the betterment of Leeward and Long Bay, it’s time for a change.”

ED 6 candidate for The Bight, Audric Skippings, who returns from his loss in 2021 said “I pledge to be the voice of the people, the driving force behind positive change, and the chairman of progress in our district.”

ED 7 candidate for Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill, is Rose Higgs who swore  “I am committed to serve as someone committed to changing politics and how some politicians behave after we elect them into power, I am your Beacon of Hope, I am going to parliament!”

ED 8 Blue Hills candidate Anthony Walkin maintained “The ideas I have for the constituency will change Blue Hills— no longer will you be suffering” he swore. 

ED 9 candidate for Five Cays, popular firebrand church pastor and businessman is how many know the energetic Bryant Cox, now approved on the PDM ticket he promised “ED9 it’s our time, I stand before you a man of action ready to work for you.”

Finally, ED 10 candidate for Wheeland Vaden Delroy Williams, who lost to newcomer Kyle  Knowles, now-Minister of Public Safety and Utilities by only a few votes in 2021, said “I am back because you have asked me to come back—because of the love I have for my people…”

They join the already announced all-island candidate team of Robert Been, Ruth Ariza, Karen Malcolm, Sean Astwood, and Ralph Higgs.

Sean Astwood, the former Five Cays members and deputy premier in the Sharlene Robinson administration, had missed the PDM’s all-island slate announcement on March 22; during the constituency candidates roll out had his say.

“Returning to politics was not an easy decision for me and I didn’t make it lightly— I came back because I believe we have a responsibility to stand up for what is right,” said Astwood.

Opposition Leader Edwin Astwood was especially excited to unveil the array of candidates having been the sole elected representative for the past four years. 

“Being in the fight alone these three and a half years wasn’t easy— I was in this battle alone but now you gave me 15 people, they had trouble when it was just me so imagine now with this team coming,” he exclaimed.

Astwood was the only PDM representative to be re-elected in February 2021 when the current PNP Administration gave them a historic walloping, storming their way to victory 14 to 1. Seven of those 2021 candidates including the party’s leader have returned to fight again in the upcoming elections which are constitutionally due in early 2025.

Ezra Taylor, National Party Chairman is convinced that the ‘rescue team’ will serve the Turks and Caicos to its fullest potential.

“Real representation, meritocracy, and honest engagement with our people will be the order of the day in the governance of the Turks and Caicos islands,” he continued “Our candidates embody the values that define us as a country, integrity, compassion, and a relentless dedication to the common good.”

Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, chaired the 13th meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday May 1st, 2024 at the NJS Francis Building, Grand Turk.

All Members were present; with the exception of the H.E. Deputy Governor and the Honourable Minister of Immigration who were away from the islands on official duties.

At this meeting Cabinet:

1. Welcomed the return of the Cabinet to the Cabinet Room at the NJS Francis Building following the major repairs and redevelopment work undertaken to the building .
2. Approved the purchase by private treaty of Parcel 60605/117, Norway and Five Cays Providenciales as part of the PATCI, land acquisition
3. Approved the Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism (Taxation)(Exemptions)(No. 2) Regulations 2024.
4. Noted a report on the concessions granted under the Property Ownership Incentive Program Policy and the Turks and Caicos Stamp Duty Reduction Policy for Turks and Caicos Islands Status Holders and British Overseas Territories Citizens.
5. Approved the renaming of the Safe House for At-Risk Young Girls to the Hon. Mahala Wynns’ Empowerment Home.
6. Noted the resignation of Ms. Julianna Musgrove as a member of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College Board of Governors (TCICC BoG) and  approved the appointment of Mrs. Sheba Wilson as a member of the TCICC BoG for a period of three years.
7. Noted the resignation of Ms. Bernadya Smith as Secretary to the Physical Planning Appeals Tribunal and approved the appointment of Ms. Vershina Forbes as Secretary to the Physical Planning Appeals Tribunal for a period of three years.
8. Noted an update on issues related to ongoing bomb threats at the JAGS McCartney International Airport and the Howard Hamilton International Airport and the steps being taken by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police in relation to the same.
9. Noted an update on Court related matters.

Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Government of The Bahamas supports and embraces persons with disabilities and will continue to ensure that the requirements of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Act (2014) are enforced through positive and continuous actions, inclusive of new amendments to the Act, Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, the Hon. Myles K. LaRoda said Thursday.

The year 2024 marks the tenth anniversary of the passage of the Act which was implemented to end discrimination against persons with disabilities as well as promote their rights and provide equal opportunities, amongst other provisions.

Mr. LaRoda said “disability inclusion” is an overarching goal of the Davis Administration. He was addressing the fifth in a series of ‘Let’s Talk Disability’ Town Hall Meetings hosted by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities – two each in Andros and Long Island, and one in New Providence.

The Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting expanded upon the significance of disability inclusion – in action.

“Inclusion, in action, is the demonstration that we, in The Bahamas, are an inclusive society and that we celebrate and encourage persons with disabilities in the same way as we do others,” Minister LaRoda said.

“We are no different than other countries with regard to the range of disabilities which include physical, behavioural, emotional, sensory, neurological and developmental. As a country, we must focus on the role that we, the community, must play as it relates to persons with disabilities, recognizing that there should never be a distinction between one member of society over another. Disability Inclusion is an overarching goal of countries across the globe.”

Mr. LaRoda said “unfortunately,” people living with disabilities are still often marginalized and are seen as outsiders in the communities.

“But my Ministry and its partners are making every effort through events such as these Town Halls to correct this gross misconception and stereotypical belief.”

He told Persons with Disabilities, their families, friends, and advocates attending Thursday evening’s Town Hall Meeting (held at the Cleveland Eneas Primary School) that they too have a role to play.

“This also means that you too have a responsibility to share with us and to let us know how we might improve the quality of your life; let us know instances of unfair treatment or discrimination; let us know when our service to you needs to be improved. After all, we are the Ministry of Social Services and we are here to serve you and to understand how we might serve you better.

“Today, we address the concerns of this community in New Providence and I urge you to take this opportunity to voice your concerns to those who work every day, promoting the rights of Persons with Disabilities and celebrating them.”

Minister LaRoda said embracing the needs of the community of persons with disabilities “shows that we are serving in very pragmatic ways.”

He pointed to the efforts undertaken by corporate entities such as ALIV, NAD, Rotary, the Chinese Embassy and others, whom he said demonstrate, by their actions, that there is a serious attempt at inclusion.

“ALIV for example worked with the Ministry of Public Personnel to employ some 20 persons with Disabilities; NAD initiated the Sunflower Lanyard for hidden disabilities and continues to initiate trailblazing programs to ease travel conditions on behalf of persons with disabilities. Rotary consistently provides wheelchairs to the physically disabled as does NCPD, and with donations from the Chinese Embassy, we were able to donate educational toys and devices, hearing aids and other items.

“We are so very grateful for such corporate partnerships as it is important that the community is embraced at both a public and private level so that persons with disabilities can feel valued, respected, and supported. We welcome with open arms other corporate entities that may wish to become partners in this cause to improve the lives of those who live with a disability,” Mr. LaRoda added.