TCI News
ISU Resumes Nationwide Containment Exercises
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI MAY 8, 2024: The Informal Settlement Unit (ISU) has actively resumed containment activities across the Turks and Caicos Islands after a brief suspension was put in place during November of 2023.
As it resumes its activities, the ISU is also displaying its commitment to ensuring that all due process is followed, by providing extensions to those that have provided ample documentation to warrant further validation. The ISU remains dedicated to addressing the nuances of ownership documentation, ensuring a fair and sustainable approach to containment efforts.
In mid-November 2023, the organization announced that it would be suspending all containment activities in the Dock Yard area in light of the number of affected individuals who came forward with papers showing receipts for payment of the lands they occupy. This suspension was also extended to private lands where containment activities would have resulted in displacement given the then-approaching Christmas season.
While the suspension has now ended and containment activities have resumed across the country, persons who have provided supporting paperwork will see the suspension remain in effect while the issues of validating said paperwork and proof of ownership continue to be resolved.
Speaking on the issues stemming from the Dock Yard situation, Justice Carlos Simons, Strategic Lead of the ISU, issued a statement saying, “Though many of the structures found in the Dock Yard informal settlement are illegal, at least to the extent that they infringe on the planning code in one way or another, it is important that we do our due diligence in ensuring that we properly validate all claims of ownership”.
He continued in his statement, saying, “The mission of the ISU is to contain, manage, and eliminate informal settlements throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands, and this also includes formalizing where possible. It is this organization’s goal to achieve its mission in such a way that we are able to eventually build safer, more sustainable communities”.
Since reclamation exercises have resumed, the ISU is on track to clear approximately 47 unoccupied structures across four parcels of Crown Land by the end of May. This work also includes removing concrete foundations and perimeter walls, as well as domestic and construction garbage and debris, abandoned vehicles, and shipping containers.
With regards to private lands, the Planning Department will be assisting the owners of at least three parcels in clearing their lands of informal structures before the end of May.
The ISU continues its public education work to ensure that people are aware that building on any land, Crown Land or private, that is not registered to you and building without planning permission is unlawful and constitutes an offence against various ordinances for which persons may be prosecuted.
The ISU cautions private landowners to regularly monitor their lands and to refrain from encouraging or becoming complicit in the establishment of informal settlement communities on their properties. Both are offences that will be addressed by the ISU in carrying out its work.
For more information on the Informal Settlement Unit, residents are encouraged to visit their office on the 2nd floor of Laporte’s Plaza, Downtown, Providenciales, and subscribe to their multilingual website at www.isutci.tc on the web.
Residents are also encouraged to follow the organization on their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram: @isutci.
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
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