News
“It Cannot be Right” PDM demands Settlement with Selver
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, May 2, 2024 – The People’s Democratic Movement is expressing its displeasure following a Court of Appeal ruling that stripped land from an Islander to place it back in the hands of the government. They’re calling for a redo.
“I call upon the Government to not leave this one in the hands of The Crown Land Unit and to instruct the Crown Land Unit to reach a settlement with Mr. Gilbert Selver, because despite what the Court says about the government taking possession of the property and buildings, Cabinet should go in a different direction, one that protects our people’s interest,” said Edwin Astwood, Opposition Leader, after TCIG published a statement highlighting the win, as they described it.
Selver had been offered the two plots at prices of $30,800 and $ 73,000 respectively before the Crown Land Ordinance of 2012 came into effect. Selver attempted to accept in 2013 after the ordinance which would have impacted the contract.
Initially, The Supreme Court, led by Justice Carlos Simmons had awarded Selver with the 2 parcels and left a different parcel to the crown, a decision which the government contested. The Appeals Court overturned that ruling indicating that his late acceptance and the new ordinance nullified the contract They’ve awarded the land and its buildings to the government to be vacated in 90 days and Gilbert Selver must pay all of the government’s legal fees.
Astwood described the ruling as far from a ‘win’ and refuted the government’s claim that “the principles of justice and fairness” are being upheld by this ruling.
“No Turks and Caicos Islander should be content or in any way agreeable with this ruling. Mr. Selver is a Turks & Caicos Islander Businessman who has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in developing these properties, and If allowed to be executed, this ruling will greatly hurt the position of this Native Turks & Caicos Islander businessman” Astwood contended.
The Opposition leader says the ruling paints the recently amended Crown Land Ordinance in a menacing, rather than liberating light.
“It cannot be right, and called transparent and accountable crown land practices, when we have in place an informal settlement unit that is seeking ways to regularize persons, the majority of whom are not Turks and Caicos Islanders, who are squatting on government and have constructed entire settlements, adhering to no building codes, no health codes, no electrical codes, No standards of any. But the government is seeking ways to regularize them, while in the same breath, taking everything from a Turks and Caicos Islander through the use of the Crown Land Ordinance,” Astwood said.
He claims that the ruling proves the law is disproportionately skewed against locals.
“It is telling me that only Turks & Caicos Islanders are subject to the laws in the country, others can build where they want, when they want, how they want, and nothing will be done to them. Additionally, after breaking the laws the government is seeking to regularize you. This cannot be right.”
Land is a sensitive subject in the archipelago, with residents finding it expensive and arduous to obtain legally while over 500 acres and counting have been captured by squatters. In addition, it was the reportedly dirt-cheap sale of land to foreign investors that contributed to the UK-led shutdown of the country’s government and constitutional suspension in 2009. That shutdown left the country with a strict land ordinance which made it an even scarcer commodity. That ordinance is slowly being amended following a consultation between the UK and TCIG but Astwood wants faster progress.
“The Government must table a Bill in parliament to amend, or repeal, and replace the Crown Land Ordinance, with land laws that are serving our people in the context and environment that we live in today,” he said.
The opposition leader is also calling on TCIG to return Crown Land to a Ministerial portfolio to make land more accessible.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.
Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable
Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.
The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.
Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.
Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.
“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.
Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.
“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.
CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.
For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wine and spirits distributor is thrilled to once again lend its support to Transforming Spaces (TS).
CWS is a proud historical partner of the annual art week which highlights Bahamian art and art spaces. Under this year’s theme, “Chasing
Light” Transforming Spaces and Caribbean Wines & Spirits created a memorable art experience.
To mark 21 years of the upliftment and exposure of culture and Bahamian art, CWS offered award winning wines St. Francis, Rebellious, Bottega and Excellsior; premium spirits, Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka, along with the newly added Coors Light Beer from its portfolio.
To kickstart the annual art week, CWS delighted attendees with a tasting of globally renowned Bottega Wines at TS’ Poetry Jam, held at ICE Bahamas. Throughout the event, Bottega brand representatives shared tasting notes, ideal pairings, and insights into the brand’s portfolio.
During the highly anticipated Saturday and Sunday tours, CWS showcased its premium products at select art galleries.
Attendees enjoyed Rebellious and St. Francis wines at The Current: Baha Mar Art Gallery and Museum, Bottega and Excellsior wines at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Coors Light beer at the University of The Bahamas Pro Gallery and hand-crafted Schweppes mixes featuring Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka at CAB Gallery & Studio.
Throughout the two-day tour, CWS product specialists enriched the experience by providing a deeper appreciation for their exceptional beverage portfolio.
Members of the Transforming Spaces Committee expressed their appreciation towards CWS’ support after another successful art week.
“Transforming Spaces is deeply grateful for the continued support of Caribbean Wines & Spirits over the years. Their partnership has become such an important part of the TS experience, helping us create welcoming and vibrant moments for our audiences across the tour weekend. From signature wines and cocktail bars to refreshments at gallery stops and pop-up events, their contribution brings an added sense of hospitality, celebration, and connection to the journey through Bahamian contemporary art.” — TS2026 Committee.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits is proud to partner with Transforming Spaces in supporting and elevating the voices and works of Bahamian artists and looks forward to strengthening this partnership for years to come.
To learn more about CWS’ involvement in the community, follow on social media @caribbeanwinesandspirits or visit the website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
By Magnetic Media Newsroom
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship
with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.
During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.
Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.
“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.
The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.
Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space,
recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.
Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.
Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.
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