TCI News
TCI: Time to question the UK; the cost of SIPT is simply too high and it’s not party politics, it’s just sense
#Providenciales, April 17, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – I was asked, how does one protest the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) trial without seeming to be in support of the alleged corruption which invited an investigation and trial in the first place.
That seems to be the dilemma which has many islanders caged and gaged when it comes to disputing a matter which has long lost wide support and which has dashed many hopes that justice for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands will ever really be served.
Nearly a decade and the defence has yet to present its case; some surmise it may be another three years for the duration of the trial which is costing tax payers $10 million per year. A trial which is widely reported to be enriching everyone affiliated to the tune of millions and millions of dollars.
Meanwhile the people the trial purports to protect are struggling to make ends meet and suffer with subpar infrastructure in far too many instances.
It is a sketchy trade-off.
Even the original prosecutor has hung her hat; Helen Garlick is a fixture in the history of this case which is dragging on, lost momentum but which is costing the country – and again I say – a mandated $10 million per year.
Perhaps it is time for islanders to realise that the protracted case, which had over 200 prosecution witnesses is a waste of taxpayer money.
As another National Budget Debate approaches on May 1, 2019, the electorate and residents should ensure that whatever the positions are about this staggering bill, they are ventilated and expressed on the floor of the House of Assembly.
The public should be asking reasonable questions of the UK about the trial which they started. By now, the initiators of the process should be called to give an account of its true cost, its prognosis and what will happen when a verdict is rendered.
Everyone knows that the nine individuals on trial for alleged corruption will fight to the death, so to speak; they will not give-in even if convicted in the judge-only case. There will be appeals, guaranteed.
Right now, each defendant has their expensive legal teams, which the public is paying for and those teams are arguing that there is no case against the nine accused. Each defendant, despite the damning evidence presented over three years is already asserting their constitutional right to prove their innocence at any cost.
Sadly, the cost is to the public purse.
The public purse is paying for everything and so far, records show the bill has been a staggering $100 million dollars plus.
The fact made me ask, ‘how could that $100 million have been better spent?’
It took some digging and some asking but it was found that the Turks and Caicos could actually have attended to many of our biggest national woes and even have brought to fruition a few lofty ideas.
The too-small-for-comfort Providenciales International Airport for example; the expansion could have been ten times bigger with that $100m investment.
Dreams of more and better outfitted schools and public buildings could be realized. If, for example, each cost about $5 million and were of the scope of the soon-to-come Long Bay Primary School, we could get twenty expansive projects, done!
However, if they were smaller, around the size of the new Post Office in Providenciales, then we could get nearly 70 brand new, fully outfitted public buildings.
Shift to border security, which is understandably a major bone of contention. With an extra $100 million to spend, our elected government could purchase two-state of the art combat vessels and two helicopters. The vessels could tout the features of the newly commissioned Royal Bahamas Defence Force HMBS Madeira and two helicopters, identical to the ones often used to assist us and owned by the US Coast Guard.
A check on recent figures of the Turks and Caicos Planning Department regarding the dream of a causeway to connect the archipelago with bridges revealed that it was estimated the connection attracted a $20 million price tag. The fact confirms that with $100 million we could establish the link a full five times over.
Before our elected Government and Opposition agree to the upcoming Budget, which includes another $10 million for the corruption trial, the British should demonstrate respect for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands and explain their ‘end game’ when it comes to the SIPT.
If it makes sense; what they have to say about the trial then we can agree to stay the course. If it does not, we should abort immediately and find a better use of the public’s money.
We have a right and a duty to hold leaders, including the United Kingdom, accountable for management of the country. The 2011 TCI Constitution clearly lays that foundation.
At this point, it seems we are agreeing, year after year to flushing millions of much needed dollars down the toilet, all because we are worried about politics.
In this case, politics is irrelevant.
In this case, a better quality of life for the people of the Turks and Caicos – no matter your politics – does.
It is our call and we must make it.
#magneticmedianews
#timetoquestiontheuk
#noendinsightforsipttrial
PRESS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 25 April 2024 – The Ministry of Health and Human Services is issuing a public advisory regarding a recent increase in chicken pox cases, particularly within school communities in the regions of Grand Turk and Providenciales. The Ministry is actively monitoring the situation and is working closely with affected schools to provide support and education aimed at preventing further spread of the virus.
Chicken pox, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is a highly contagious infection characterized by a distinctive rash of itchy red spots or blisters. Transmission occurs via droplets, aerosols, or direct contact with respiratory secretions, and almost always produces clinical disease in susceptible individuals. While mostly a mild disorder in childhood, varicella tends to be more severe in adults. It may be fatal, especially in neonates and in immunocompromised persons. The Ministry urges parents, teachers, and the general public to remain vigilant and familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of chicken pox, which may include:
- Rash: The primary symptom of chicken pox is a rash that typically begins as small red spots, which then develop into fluid-filled blisters over several days.
- Fever: Children with chicken pox may experience a mild to moderate fever, often preceding the appearance of the rash.
- Fatigue: Some individuals may feel generally unwell, tired, or lethargic.
- Loss of Appetite: A decreased desire to eat may accompany other symptoms of chicken pox.
Management aims to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications and may include:
- drinking plenty of fluid (try popsicles if your child is not drinking) to avoid dehydration.
- taking paracetamol to help with pain and discomfort.
- cut your child’s fingernails and put socks on their hands at night to stop them scratching.
- use cooling creams or gels e.g. Calamine lotion
- speak to your health care provider about using antihistamine medicine to help itching.
- bathe in cool water and pat the skin dry (do not rub)
- dress in loose clothes.
- do not use ibuprofen unless advised to do so by a doctor, as it may cause serious skin infections.
- do not give aspirin to children under 16.
- do not go near newborn babies, or anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, as chickenpox can be dangerous for them.
- do not scratch the spots, as scratching can cause scarring.
To mitigate the spread of chicken pox within schools and communities, the Ministry emphasizes the importance of practicing good hygiene habits, including frequent handwashing with soap and water, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and avoiding close contact with infected individuals.
In the event that a child exhibits symptoms of chicken pox, parents and caregivers are advised to keep them at home and seek medical attention promptly. A sick leave for a period of 14 days is usually given. After the 14 day sick leave period, the individual must return to the physician or the public health nurse at one of the primary care clinics to obtain a fit for work or school certificate allowing them re-entry back into school or work. Anyone returning earlier than this time or without this certificate should not be allowed in school so as to prevent spread to other children. Additionally, it is crucial to inform school authorities to prevent further transmission among classmates and staff.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of all citizens, and will continue to work diligently to address this current situation. For further information and guidance on chicken pox prevention and management, please visit Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, April 25, 2024 – He was busted at the Howard Hamilton Providenciales International Airport on Friday, April 16, 2024.
He allegedly had in his luggage four (4) rounds of 6.5mm ammunition on his departure to his homeland in Oklahoma in the United States of America (USA).
Ryan Watson and his wife were arrested and placed into police lock up. Both were later granted police bail, and upon return to police station the Monday after the couple’s arrest, the husband alone was charged by detective Police Constable Kimberlee Markland for
unlawful possession of the four rounds of ammunition.
Watson was escorted to court on Tuesday, April 23rd, placed before the learned Chief Magistrate Mr. Jolyon Hatmin and remanded to His Majesty’s Prison until his sufficiency hearing on June 7, this (2024) year.
His counsel, Mr. Oliver Smith KC and his junior assistant Mrs. Kimone Tennant immediately sought bail for him in the Supreme Court which was heard the following day (Wednesday April 24) before her Ladyship Ms. Tanya Lobban-Jackson and was granted bail, without hassle in the amount or $15,000.00 cash or surety.
The Crown, in the person of senior public prosecutor Ms. Tassja Mitchell did not oppose bail.
Magnetic Media can report that once again on the afternoon of the Tuesday April 24th, after the accused RYAN TYLER WATSON, 41 was remanded by the Magistrate’s court, the U.S. Embassy issued an warning to it’s citizens and travelers to carefully check their bags when traveling to Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) as TCI authorities are strictly enforcing firearm and ammunition laws and if found you could go to prison for 12 years.
A real question of great concern and public importance is: should the TCI courts sentence tourists to the full mandatory minimum of 12 years imprisonment for simple possession firearm and/or ammunition.
The succinct answer is: Yes!
The Court of Appeal, just last month said in its written judgment that “ALL PERSONS,” including tourist/visitors must go to prison if found guilty or pleas guilty to firearm and ammunition offences.
However, there remains the concern about how much time in prison a judge should give a visitor regardless of the existence of exceptional circumstances.
Should the judge imprison a visitor to the territory, who may have been wrongly informed, for example, the full mandatory minimum term or must a reduced prison term be imposed.
If TCI judges start to give less than the mandatory minimum to tourists/visitors, it is being strong and widely advocated by senior defense attorneys that the same must apply to local or residents of these Islands, who may also present exceptional circumstances.
Arguments about the equity in delivery of justice is what drove the question to the Court of Appeal late in 2023. The decision came this past February.
‘We cannot find ourselves sentencing tourists regardless of exceptional circumstances to lesser sentences, and when those same exceptional circumstances are found in local cases, it’s being ignored by our judges.’
Human Rights Attorney, Sheena Mair has on more than one occasion argued this point; including in firearm and ammunition bail applications. She would put the very same judges and prosecutors from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution on the spot by reminding the judges and the prosecutors that precedent has been set.
‘You’ve just granted bail to a tourist for firearm and ammunition but now here’s a local person, same charge but because he’s a local he can’t get bail? He has to be remanded pending a trial that could take years before it’s heard?’
Mair has valiantly outlined the wrong in this and clearly stated this practice is “not fair” and it’s “not proper administration of justice in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Ms. Mair further complained that tourists would plea guilty to possession of firearm and ammunition and be released on bail pending sentencing but as for a local, he or she has to wait on remand at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation pending sentencing.
The attorney criticizes the optics of such decisions and is on record reminding the Judge that the Court of Appeal has already set out that the law applies to everyone; visitors and locals alike.
A police statement issued Wednesday April 24 informs: “Today (April 24th), Mr. Watson appeared in the Supreme Court and, following a bail application, was granted $15,000 bail with the following conditions:
1) Not travel out of TCI without the court’s permission.
2) Surrender his passport and all other travel documents to the court
3) Report to Grace Bay Police Station on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 8 am-4 pm,
4) Reside at the given address in Providenciales; any address change will be provided before the court.”
The American from Oklahoma whose story is trending in the US and has been carried by leading news networks was joined by a host of loved ones at the Courthouse.
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