News
Informal Settlements Unit Lead Promises Prosecution & Demolition
By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#TurksandCaicos, September 2, 2023 – Leaders of the newly etched Informal Settlements Unit (ISU) sat with members of the media on Tuesday August 22 in an opportunity to expound on the goals and mission of the ISU. Although somberly stated, there was no mistaking the dogged resolve of Justice Carlos Simons, KC to see an end to the multi-pronged problems created by permitting unplanned communities in the TCI to go unchecked.
“We have a national motto, it says beautiful by Nature and this type of development undercuts (this),” said Simons who a month earlier, launched the ISU with the support of the Premier and the Governor of the territory.
The ISU is a Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) agency responsible for mitigating the proliferation of informal settlement activity in the Islands and the principal aim of the ISU is to build safer, more sustainable communities in the Turks and Caicos Islands and to improve the standard of living and quality of life of the affected occupants by undertaking this work.
The ISU is charged with the work of stopping this illegal practice and regularizing the long-established informal settlements to bring them in line with planning and other applicable laws.
“So don’t do it!” said the justice; a message to the crafters of these illegal constructions. In far too many cases, they have proven to be manipulative; brazenly flouting country constructions codes in order to fatten their pockets by selling small parcels of land to impoverished or vulnerable groups; this fate has fallen largely to the Haitian community which either holds lower-salaried jobs as part of the expatriate workforce, or have migrated to the TCI illegally.
The Turks and Caicos, said Simons, is the only British overseas territory with this problem.
“In cases where there is evidence of fraud persons will be prosecuted. There is no way the Unit is going to stand by and see hard-working, law-abiding residents fleeced of their hard-earned cash on the basis of land ownership that never could exist,” Simons added, “The ISU will simply refer cases of this nature to the Attorney General’s Chambers who will take it up with the Director of Public Prosecutions and the evidence will be laid out for the judge to do with.”
It is estimated that in one informal settlement community alone, known as Dock Yard, there are at least 3,000 residents pressed into 20 acres of land.
Simons promised that his Unit, with its partners aside, will authorize the demolition of any expansions to these illegal communities which number 45 country-wide.
The goal, to reclaim some 500 acres of illegally developed land and see the thousands of residents re-situated to better quality and planning approved housing.
Joining that interview, Tito Lightbourne, Permanent Secretary of the National security secretariat who concurred that these developments pose a national security and public health threat.
When Justice Carlos Simons and PS Tito Lightbourne on Tuesday held a press conference on the gamut of work put to the Informal Settlements Unit, they very clearly stated that there were hundreds of acres to be reclaimed – both public and private. Lightbourne said as many as 20 individuals would be make up the team at the ISU, mainly on a consultancy basis with a deputy to manage the day to day operations hired in support of Mr. Simons who heads the unit hired. He called the budget for the ISU, robust. The ISU is located at the Laporte Plaza in Down Town Provo.
Dock Yard Residents feel forsaken they say… unable to get city or government services into the area… customs, they told Bishop Coletta Williams and Wilkie Arthur doesn’t come in to inspect their shipments for the stores legally licensed to operate, they have to work another arrangement so their goods are cleared …they believe Govt wants no part of the community, but head of the newly established ISU, Justice Carlos Simons KC says that is not true.
During a media meeting Tuesday PS of NSS Tito Lightbourne said a survey which they commissioned for the Dock Yard report revealed there are at least 3000 people living in densely populated Dock Yard, 3000 people on 20 acres. The ISU, with its new office No 20 and 22 Laporte’s Plaza, downtown Provo, said the time has come for an end to illegal settlements in the TCI and the unit is committed to getting that job done.
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
