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The Overseas Territories need to collaborate and strategize including an Exit Strategy

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#Providenciales, February 28, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – In the introductory section of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the report stated that “the UK has an obligation under article 73 of the United Charters to provide for the well-being of the inhabitants.” This statement alone is hypocritical in that the recommendations proposed by the FAC is not in the well-being of the Overseas Territories (OT).

The report also stated that the “UK Parliament has, as matter of constitutional Law, unlimited powers to legislate for the OT. In practice, it tends only to legislate in areas that are reserved to the UK, such as foreign policy and national security, and not in areas devolved to the OT without their consent. If this is their practice, then the FAC should not threaten the OT with recommendations without their consent. It is the time the Overseas Territories stop taking and start acting and one way to do so is to collaborate and strategize in dealing with the UK on all issues going forward.

Same Sex Marriage

The Committee asked the five leaders of Cayman, Monserrat, Anguilla, BVI and Turks if they would consider legalizing the same sex marriage. All islands except the Cayman Islands responded. In my opinion, the only leader that responded strongly was the leader of BVI who said that their constitution states that marriage is between man and a woman. The other leaders said more or less it would require consultation. We have been over this question for years now and we know the answer by the people is no to same sex marriage so every leader should have responded on the same way as BVI leader. I do not know what the other islands constitution state but I know TCI constitution also states that marriage is between a man and woman.  The OTs need to be radical with the UK and remind them of their obligation to provide for the well-being of the inhabitants. The inhabitants say no to same sex marriage and they should honour the desires of the inhabitants.

British Overseas Territories Act 2002

As a result of the British Overseas Territories Act 2002, the citizens of the Overseas Territories became full British citizens whereby they can live, work and vote in the UK just like any other British citizens. However, this was not reciprocated to the UK citizens. Quite naturally, the UK citizens would think it is unfair for overseas citizens to reside in UK without restrictions and they cannot do the same thing in the Overseas Territories.  Obviously due to the size of our population and the fact that most of the OT citizens are outnumbered, we cannot and should not accept reciprocity as this is not in the well-being for the OT.

Should the UK Government accept this recommendation from the FAC, then the OT need to decide whether or not they want their citizens to have full British status.   While many of us including myself have embraced this opportunity for our children, it will not be worth having this status with UK citizens allowing to reside in the OT without restrictions.

Conclusion

So far, the Cayman Islands is the only OT who said they would seek independence should the UK proceed with the recommendation by the FAC.

The OT must develop a plan in the event the proposed changes are handed down to us. Do not take anything for granted as we do not want to be caught with our pants down. We need a UK exit strategy plan even if we do not plan to exit now. If the citizens of the OT want to remain with the UK, then the OT need to present to the UK, long term strategies that are in the best interest of the OT citizens. Hopefully, it will cover issues such as crime reduction strategies and the protection of the borders of all of the OT particularly TCI which is under constant threat.

By Drexwell Seymour

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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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