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Tomorrow, major crackdown on illegal jitneys begins with policy change, TCI Premier says it opens door to lucrative business

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Photo by Deandrea Hamilton

The Premier says getting a bicycle is not a bad idea when it comes to getting around the island, but shared that the interest from people to become licensed for legal jitney operation or Community Cabs as the PDM Administration has dubbed them, is high and there should be sufficient public transportation once the industry is legalized.

“I assure you there will be persons who are prepared to enter that, and I think people need to understand that jitneys make way more than taxi drivers (sometimes) and so we expect entrants and that is why it is important to have that category.  Persons can make that investment before we crack down completely on those who are illegal in the industry.  It very, very lucrative.”   

The matter of private cars being used to fill the gaping hole created by a lack of public transportation for the resident population has been a burning one for the Hon Sharlene Robinson since before she was premier of the country.  Reports of rapes, sexual attacks, violent fights, robberies, unhealthy and unsafe conditions when using the jitneys have all given rise to many debates, elicited umpteen promises and brought on deep and real fear about catching the unregistered, albeit convenient modes of transport.

“On Wednesday, we hope to have the amendments to the Road safety ordinance that will look to legalise the transportation system for the provision of community cabs or what we call jitneys.  Not regularizing but legalizing that industry and making sure that legal entrants are given time to enter before strict enforcement goes on in that area.”

At this time, and in light of a recent attack where a jitney passenger was forced to jump from a moving vehicle in fear of her life, the Premier says it is risky business riding the illegal jitney.   

“…it is going to make it safer; it is going to make it legal, which means persons will have to register as drivers,”  the Premier said her talks with the Minister of Home Affairs, Delroy Williams has laid out some must haves for the Community Cabs to work.  “…where we jump into taxis for example in the United States a picture ID has to be displayed, but also we would have the license plate numbers, we are doing this all in sync with our CCTV program as well as what is to come in this year’s budget, is to recreate a better road safety license plate program and you will see software coming for that as well where you would be able to match license plate numbers to individuals.  That is all in the same pot.”

Tomorrow, when Cabinet meets, the matter is hoped to make the agenda and to be discussed as this new category of public service driver would be well on its way to being legally created.  It was explained that illegal jitney drivers now may not be qualified to drive the community cabs in future.    

“Once we are able to create a legal category, not regularize because some of the drivers will not qualify, some of the vehicles will not qualify so I want to make sure we understand that we are legalising the industry, the sector,” said the Premier last Thursday.

The Premier assured that it is not going to be rushed and the plan is going to be considerate of the role the current system does play.

“…which is why we are going to allow legal entrants before the enforcement happens. We are going to allow people to legally enter and provide that legal form (of transportation) before we crackdown on what we know to be a necessary form of transportation”

The announcement came in a Border Control press conference held jointly by the Premier and Deputy Premier, Sean Astwood last Thursday where the nation was given an update.

The country learned of the financial toll of illegal immigration on the islands for the past five years, the support being lent to the TCI from as far off as London and as nearby as The Bahamas and the multi-pronged initiative which includes cracking down on illegal construction and unearthing unathorised employment within the islands.  

Today, Minister of Home Affairs, Delroy Williams said the consultation process wrapped up after six months in December 2017.  The online Public Service Transportation Survey was electronically available to the general public and he said, the interest in the Community Cabs is high.

A warning was among the final points from Premier Robinson at the conclusion of Magnetic Media questions on the hot button issue.

“You’re taking a risk – especially with children and females in particular using these services.  You are taking a risk because it does not exist legally, which means we can’t trace drivers because we don’t know who they are.”

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

Bahamas News

RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos 

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RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

 

 

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Government

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DELEGATION VISITS WEST MIDLANDS AMBULANCE SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM, UK

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Providenciales, Tuesday 30 April, 2024 – A delegation from the Ministry of Health and Human Services, recently undertook a pivotal visit to the West Midlands Ambulance Service in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The visit, which took place from April 21st to April 23rd, 2024, was held under the esteemed patronage of the Ambassador of Health of the British Overseas Territories, Professor Ian Cumming.

Led by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Desiree Lewis OBE, the delegation included Ms. Renessa Williams, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, and Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, Director of Emergency Medical Services. This strategic meeting was an integral part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance emergency services within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

During the visit, representatives from the West Midlands Ambulance Service provided comprehensive insights into their operations, sharing valuable expertise and offering collaborative initiatives for the development of the TCIs emergency services. Discussions encompassed various aspects, including training and mentoring programs tailored to empower emergency personnel within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“The visit marked a significant step forward in our strategy for the advancement of emergency services,” stated Mrs. Desiree Lewis OBE. “We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support extended by the West Midlands Ambulance Service, and we look forward to implementing the insights gained to further enhance emergency care within our country. Permanent Secretary Lewis also expressed the Ministry of Health’s gratitude to Professor Ian Cumming for his assistance by way of arranging the visit.”

Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, Director of Emergency Medical Services for the Turks and Caicos Islands, underscored the importance of the discussions, emphasizing the poignant exchange of ideas and the potential for meaningful collaborations which signifies a commitment to improving emergency services and ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents of the Turks & Caicos Islands.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services expresses its sincere appreciation to the West Midlands Ambulance Service for their warm hospitality and invaluable contributions during the visit.

For additional information, please visit the Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.

 

 

 

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TCI Court

Eight Months facing Police Accusations and Court, now Pedro Grant Exonerated

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

With no evidence to support their claim, the prosecution has dropped their case against Pedro Jose Alfredo Grant Gallon, the Dominican Republic citizen who was accused of impersonating an officer in September 2023.

The Police, who publicized the arrest and charge, have not yet commented on the matter despite Magnetic Media queries.

Grant, for his part, has always vehemently denied the accusations that he was impersonating an officer and described the circumstances surrounding his arrest as unfair.

He contends that on the evening of July 13, 2023, he was being followed by a strange driver, concerned, he waited until the man pulled off at a bar, then took his license plate number and called the police, but police never came to help Grant. He alleges that the next time he saw them, they came with handcuffs to arrest him. In a search, police found his IDs which included his documentation for humanitarian work with the International Diplomatic Alliance (IDA) and police lights attached to his vehicle. In explaining the possession of those lights, Grant said he told officers that they had been in his car from his time in the Dominican Republic where he was involved in law enforcement.

Since that time, Grant has maintained several facts:

  • The Police did not have a warrant to search his home and car;
  • The Police took his documents including passports and IDs, one of which was issued by the IDA, and to date have not returned them despite being court-ordered to do so;
  • The Police intimidated his wife with threats of deportation;
  • He never showed any ID, flashing lights at the man following him, or claimed to be an officer.

Police have steadfastly refused to comment on the case despite numerous queries into the bizarre circumstances, even with serious allegations like intimidation against them. Grant was officially charged with Impersonating an Officer in September but IDA Head Jerrod Crockett told Magnetic Media despite seizing documents from Grant to support their case, no one even called the organization to see if they were real or fake.

Now, when called to provide evidence to the court as to why they arrested and charged the resident, the police and DPPs office drew a complete blank as Wilkie Arthur, Magnetic Media Court Correspondent, confirmed it was a lack of evidence that got the case dropped.

Despite this win serious damage has been done Grant claims, describing his life as a ‘living hell’ and ‘miserable’ since the accusations were publicized.

The IDA says it has been affected as well.

“That really put a hurt on us for the last six to eight months now because of accusations of fraudulent documents that everybody else has seen. We’re trying to prove our legitimacy now because you guys can’t verify any documents— before you put everything out there as public information,” Crockett said of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF)

The president also told our news team they had lost thousands of dollars in funding.

Following the closure of the case we reached out again to police to find out on what grounds Grant had been arrested and charged but no response was issued.

 

 

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