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Director of Social Development & Welfare Urges Responsible Behaviour Towards the Department and Children in Care

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PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: As the Director of Social Development and Welfare in the Turks and Caicos Islands, it is with great concern that I address the recent incidents of malicious behaviour and communication towards our dedicated social workers and the children in state care.

Social workers play a crucial role in our community, providing essential support and services to vulnerable children, individuals and families. It is disheartening to see that during the course of our duties, we are being targeted with accusations and harmful rumours and behaviours that not only undermine our hard work but also jeopardise the well-being of the children and vulnerable adults under our care. I urge all community members to stand in solidarity with our department and to refrain from engaging in harmful behaviours that destabilise our efforts in protecting individuals.

I wish to emphasise the importance of responsible behaviour and communication when discussing matters related to our department and the children or vulnerable adults we serve. Acting violently towards our department and engaging in malicious communication not only harms our social workers in the course of their duty and the work that this department engages in but it also has serious consequences for the individuals in our care and families who rely on our services, as well as social workers and their private lives. Social workers are the backbone of our societal ills and we work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable children and adults in our communities. It is imperative that we recognise this and provide social workers with the support and protection that we need in order to carry out our duties responsibly and to effectively advocate for the best interests of the children and vulnerable adults we serve.

I urge all community members to exercise caution and compassion in their interactions with our department and to refrain from engaging in violent acts and sharing unverified information that can harm the reputation and effectiveness of our social services. The work that we engage in daily is sensitive and confidential, which limits our ability to discuss such matters in public forums, particularly children’s cases. Safeguarding children requires the utmost care and respect for their privacy, dignity and protection. Public discussions or speculations about specific cases are harmful and may jeopardise the safety and confidentiality of children, our fostering community and the families concerned.

We must work together to create a supportive and respectful environment for our social workers, families and the children in our care. If you have any concerns or suspicions regarding child abuse or safeguarding issues, we encourage you to reach out to the Department of Social Development and Welfare for assistance and if someone shares such concern in a public forum, I ask that you direct them to this department, which is the appropriate authority under the law. Our dedicated team is here to provide support, guidance, and intervention professionally and confidentially.

This Department tries its very best to work with parents and not against parents, however, a child’s safety will always be prioritised above all else. We have worked tirelessly over the years to strengthen our controls to safeguard children in care. Let us all work together to create a safe and supportive environment for our children that does not exploit them on public forums for personal gain but protects them during their childhood to either reunite with their natural families or to stay with their chosen families through continued fostering or adoption.

I encourage anyone with genuine concerns or feedback regarding our services to reach out to us directly so that we can address any issues constructively and transparently. We are formalising a complaints process that all persons will be welcome to utilise if they wish to share a grave concern for the work that we are doing or any other concern regarding our community. Your responsible actions and words can make a significant difference in protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.

The Department of Social Development and Welfare remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and care in our work, which has been entrusted to us. We are dedicated to serving the needs of our community and ensuring the well-being of all individuals, especially those who are most vulnerable.

 Thank you for your attention and cooperation in this matter.

 To report a safeguarding matter or complaint to this department, kindly see the contact information below:

 

MASH: 1-649-338-4013

mash@gov.tc

reportabusetci@gov.tc

 

Providenciales: 1-649-338-4008

Grand Turk: 1-649-338-2684

North Caicos: 1-649-338-6411/12

South Caicos: 1-649-338-6321

 

Follow us on Instagram: @socialdevelopment.welfare

                        Facebook: @department of social development, tcig

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Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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