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TCI: Less money for Home Affairs, still increases announced, equipment approved, assertive prison rehabilitation planned and Minister bids farewell

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#Providenciales, May 5, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The Budget for the Ministry of Home Affairs has decreased this fiscal year by $2.5 million but it appears that key goals will still be met, with significant increases announced for at least three areas within the Ministry held by Hon Delroy Williams.

More money will go to the Social Development Department, Her Majesty’s Prison and Radio Turks and Caicos said Minister Williams during his contribution to the 2019-2020 Budget Debate.

“…Mr. Speaker, the department of Social Development’s budget has increased from $2,868,687.00 (two million, eight hundred and sixty-eight thousand, six hundred and eighty-seven dollars) to a whopping $3,492,327.00 (three million, four hundred and ninety-two thousand, three hundred and twenty-seven dollars).  To help it carry out its mandate Mr. Speaker, plans are already in place to restructure the department to create four functional units. They are: The Child Protection and Family Services Unit; The Parole, Probation and Rehab Unit; The Needs Assessment and Benefits Administration Unit and the Social Support and Community Development Unit.”

Also positive for social support programmes is allocated funding for refurbishment to the domestic violence homes in Grand Turk and Providenciales; Minister Williams said $350,000 has been set aside for the projects.

Radio Turks and Caicos will get $30,000 extra for consultancy spending and overall, its operating funds have shot up “…from $559,614 to $743,681 a difference of $184,067.”

It was reported that the national radio station’s listenership is swelling and community programming is opening lines of understanding to the world; listenership on the new single frequency and online was put at 42,963 monthly.

Her Majesty’s Prison will move more assertively on its rehabilitation of inmates and the physical facility, it was said on Thursday May 2, 2019.

 “We have committed to ensure that persons in custody receive the best care and assistance to guarantee that they have the best opportunity to return to society. With that in mind Mr. Speaker, the prison’s budget has been increased from $3,361,679 (three million, three hundred and sixty-one thousand, six hundred and seventy-nine dollars) for 2018/19 to $4,131,720(four million, one hundred and thirty-one thousand, seven hundred and twenty dollars) this year.

A new prison Superintendent and eight extra prison officers were added but new to come on board are parole officers who will support the Chance for Change program, which will reportedly become active in the coming months.

“Mr. Speaker, an important aspect of the Chance for Change Programme is the need to provide for alternative paths to sentencing individuals for the crimes they commit. This approach will require the support of several stakeholders ranging from the individual, families, church, schools, police and businesses. We hope that everyone will step up to the plate and support this new initiative to save our young men, to support families and to improve our society.”

A desperately needed fire truck for Grand Turk is approved.

“The procurement process for the purchasing of a new fire vehicle for Grand Turk was completed and a brand new, custom made, fire truck, will be on island within the next twelve months.”

Messages of thanks and appreciation were conveyed to the “190 public servants, 10 departments, one statutory body and six boards that work within the Ministry of Home Affairs, which Hon Williams will officially leave behind on May 8, 2019.

His final public assignment is the opening of the George Brown Post Office next Tuesday; for his new role as the Ministry of Immigration, Citizenship, Labour and Employment Services there appears to be great anticipation.

“I will immediately seek ways to address current issues such as time limits on work permits, improving customer service, shortening turnaround times and do a complete review of the departments with aging applications,” said Williams who is also the Member of Parliament for the Wheeland constituency.

#magneticmedianews

#ministerbidsfarewell

#lessmoneyforhomeaffairs

#prisonrehabilitationplan

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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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