TCI News
TCI Cycling Federation hosts its first Annual Youth Championship
#Providenciales, October 1, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – In honour of National Youth Day the Turks and Caicos Cycling Federation hosted its 
first event dedicated solely to youth cyclists. The day saw 15 children and teens compete over three categories. Category one for the most advanced, category two for intermediary level and the open category for novice cyclists.
The event started with the highly anticipated category one race which featured Ethan Gardiner, who until recently was the undefeated kids champ and Sean Walters, who bested him in the kids category at the recent Glory of the Green Championship. The two duked it out over 12.5 miles. Though a close finish, Sean once again emerged the winner and this time claimed the title of 2018 Youth Champion. Clayton Thomas came in third, with a great showing despite experiencing technical difficulties with his bike.
Category two saw the most participants with seven young men, all excited to get a chance to show off their growing skills. They started strong over their 8.6-mile journey, each trying his best to stay ahead of the pack. Kymani Ewing captured first place followed by Emory James in second and Ethan Lightbourne placing third. All three credited their performances to the weekly Kids ride and the mentorship from adult cyclists in the federation.
The open category was all girl. The five who are regulars at the weekly Kids ride, were all a little nervous as it was the first race for most. But they did not allow that to slow them down over their 4-mile ride. Hayley Williams took first place followed by Jewel Thomas in second and Alyssa Gardiner in third. All three are considering joining category two in the next race.
This first annual event in apart the federation’s youth focus; which includes the weekly Kids ride and mentorship program. President Shanwell Gardiner stressed the fact that the future of cycling lays in the hands of our youth. He went on to say that the current initiatives are just the foundation of the federation’s youth focus and will be built upon as time goes on. Vice President Sean Rodgers encouraged parents to get their 
children involved in cycling, stating the federation offers a safe and fun environment which allows them to hone their riding skills while learning valuable life lessons such as discipline and sportsmanship through the mentorship program.
Next for the federation is the Tour De Turks and Caicos Championship. This is a four-stage race that will take place over two weekends. October 7th in North and Middle Caicos is an 8-mile individual time trial, followed by a 73-mile road race on October 8th. October 13th in Providenciales is an 11-mile time trial followed by a 77-mile road race. The entire event will conclude with a banquet and prize giving ceremony on the evening of the 14th.
The Turks and Caicos Cycling Federation wishes to thank our sponsors; the parents for allowing their children to participate not only in the youth championship but the weekly Kids rides. A special thank you also to all of our volunteers who assisted in making this event a success.
Release: TCI Cycling Federation
TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
PROVIDENCIALES — New commercial Crown Land applications are facing a six-month pause as the Turks and Caicos Islands Government takes inventory of its holdings.
During Cabinet meetings held July 15 and 16, an immediate six-month moratorium was approved on the acceptance, processing
and approval of new applications for commercial Crown Land grants, leases and allocations.
The pause will remain in place pending completion of the Crown Land Inventory Review. Cabinet’s summary did not state what prompted the review or indicate whether availability of commercial Crown Land is a concern.
The two-day meeting also advanced major consumer legislation. Cabinet approved the National Fair Competition Policy 2026 and drafting instructions for a Fair Competition Ordinance, moving TCI toward stronger consumer protection and fair competition rules.
In Grand Turk, Cabinet approved rezoning land in the North West Suburbs from low-density to medium-density residential use to facilitate a new apartment development.
Cabinet also advanced fisheries reforms, water legislation allowing private and public-private investment, minerals legislation and appointments across tourism, health and finance.
Progress toward establishing a TCI Credit Union was also noted.
PROVIDENCIALES — Major development projects outside Providenciales received Cabinet attention on July 8, with Government approving agreements connected to the redevelopment of Dellis Cay and a resort development in North Caicos.
Cabinet approved a Development Agreement between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Desarrollos Hotelco DC Ltd. and
Desarrollos Hotelco Astoria Ltd. for the redevelopment of Dellis Cay.
The long-discussed private island development sits between Providenciales and North Caicos and its return to Cabinet signals another step toward redevelopment.
Cabinet also approved amendments to an agreement involving SPR LND Ltd. (Royal Reef) and TCIG Development Agreement for a resort/hotel development in North Caicos.
Other decisions included approval of the First Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2026 for onward transmission and the appointment of Cindy Ewing as Chair of the Invest TCI Board, effective August 1 for three years.
Cabinet also noted consultation outcomes concerning changes to business licensing, approved professional membership expenses for qualifying Telecommunications Commission staff and approved advice relating to the Interim Clinical and Estates Services PPP.
The July 8 meeting was chaired by Acting Governor Anya Williams.
Photo Credit: Royal Reef (Keith)
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