PROVIDENCIALES, TCI, APRIL 30, 2024: Provo Water Company (PWC) has made significant progress in addressing recent water supply issues caused by increased water demand on Providenciales, and while ongoing projects aimed at long-term solutions are proceeding as planned, nightly water restrictions will continue through May.

This news comes as an update on the organization’s swift response to the rising water demand, which prompted the initial implementation of nightly restrictions to safeguard daily water reserves. The company is actively pursuing multiple projects, including upgrades to the city water transmission main, the main city water line valves, and the Middle Booster Pump Station,
alongside various other initiatives, to ensure long-term solutions to the supply issues.

Provo Water Company reaffirms its dedication to the residents of Turks and Caicos by continuing with a range of improvement projects aimed at innovative solutions for short and long-term distribution challenges. While diligently advancing these initiatives, the organization has determined that the nightly water restrictions remain necessary to ensure the replenishment of
daily reserves as it strives to keep these projects on track.

These restrictions will be implemented on an as-needed basis to effectively manage water consumption efficiently. If deemed necessary, the restrictions will be in effect from 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., optimizing conservation efforts during off-peak hours.

In response to the extension, Managing Director Robert Hall expressed apologies to customers and stakeholders in light of the extension. He reiterates his organization’s dedicated efforts to minimize the frequency of water restrictions and their eventual elimination in response to the extension.

In a statement, Hall said, “We will implement these measures only as required throughout the month of May to efficiently regulate water usage. We recognize the impact of these restrictions, and we want to assure you that we are doing our utmost to minimize inconvenience and ensure that your needs are our top priority.”

The transmission main project, which will enhance various aspects of the existing water supply network, ultimately improving water distribution across the island, is currently scheduled to be completed by mid-June 2024.

Hall concluded, “This project is pivotal in strengthening our water distribution infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring a reliable water supply for our community. By actively working towards its completion, we remain dedicated to serving our customers with the utmost excellence, reliability, and efficiency.”

Learn more about Provo Water Company’s water efficiency and conservation initiatives by visiting www.provowater.com. Follow on social media for tips and announcements: @ProvoWaterCompany on Facebook and @provowaterco on Instagram. For inquiries, please contact the customer service team at customerservice@provowater.com.

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

The United Kingdom recently had a representative in the Turks and Caicos’ courts assessing case progression in an effort to root out any issues hampering justice according to Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam, TCI Governor.

Mark Fenhalls KC was reportedly taking forward work commissioned by the National Security Council and supported by the UK Ministry of Justice ‘to review the efficiency and effectiveness of case progression within the criminal justice system’ in the Turks and Caicos.

He’s also working directly with the Office of the  Director of Public Prosecutions to figure out factors across the Criminal Justice System (CJS) that will need fixing ‘to drive efficiency and underpin the development of longer-term capability and capacity requirements.’ 

Fenhalls arrival is not unexpected as Governor Daniel-Selvaratnam carries years of experience in Strategy and Change in court systems. 

She was Deputy Director of Strategy and Change in HM Courts and Tribunal Service which oversees all the courts of England and Wales including the criminal civil family courts and others from 2011-2015. 

With the British tactic to shuffle governors to where their talents are most needed and the issues occurring in the TCI courts, the visit for many is not surprising. 

The Turks and Caicos’ Justice system has been facing several challenges including, understaffing, evidence issues, lengthy wait times for trial, and even then, drawn-out court cases that have affected the carriage of justice locally. 

Understaffing of the DPP office was highlighted by Angela Brooks acting DPP earlier this year. 

“My prosecutors and administrative staff have embraced their workload with an attitude of excellence and diligence.  My Lady, there were occasions when we were all double-booked before the different Courts because we didn’t have, and still do not have, sufficient prosecutors,” she said at the opening of the legal year in January. 

The lengthy wait for cases to be called, poor scheduling, and drawn-out cases were other issues that Magnetic Media has observed. Double-booked judges and repeated delays have particularly affected the courts. Its effect is glaring in sexual assault cases where we have observed multiple victims who were initially brave enough to stand before the court simply gave up after delay on top of delay, resulting in cases being thrown out. 

That’s not all, evidence and protocol flubs on the part of the Judiciary, Police, and others have caused cases to be shuttered; and lost the government millions. The improper treatment of a detained couple is one example whereas in other cases witnesses or evidence are rendered unusable, crippling the case. 

The Governor did not say whether any report from Fenhalls and corresponding recommendations would be made. 

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, May 2, 2024 – It’s confirmed, threats were made against Turks and Caicos public officials as emails announced that there were bombs placed at both the JAGS McCartney International Airport and the Providenciales International Airport; four different threats between April 26 and 29; now the lead police official is decrying the actions.

“I unequivocally condemn the actions of those who delight in creating chaos through cyberspace,” said Edvin Martin, Commissioner of Police, on Wednesday as he described the acts as reprehensible.

Flights were delayed hours and passengers were stranded as airlines moved aircraft out of harm’s way and paused flights due to the threats.  Each time, the airports were evacuated of passengers and personnel.  While many believed the calls were a silly “prank”, standard precautions were taken to ensure public safety; it meant a significant inconvenience for travellers.

The police commissioner, in his Wednesday statement, revealed that the country’s public officials had also been targeted in bogus, but serious claims.  Martin stopped short however of informing how those public figures and who specifically was targeted.

“A dedicated team of officers searched the premises and surroundings, but nothing was ever found.  Threats have also been issued to public officials.  The Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force, view bomb hoaxes and threats as wholly reprehensible and aimed at disrupting our community.”

These words did offer some comfort and context for an anxious public, though it took days for this branch of law enforcement to officially speak on the issue.  The threats were yet another smear on the country’s safety record which captured international media attention, as well.

Also coming on Wednesday, about an hour before the public heard from the police chief, a statement from Edwin Astwood, Opposition Leader, who expressed his disappointment with what he described as the air of quiet from the government.

“The individual/ individuals/ organization behind these current threats appear to know well that the Airports are critical hubs of transportation and commerce, hence making them attractive targets to cause harm, sow chaos, or disrupt societal order. This is especially amplified in an archipelago nation and one that the economy is based on Tourism. As such, action is needed by the government, not silence,” he continued, “But the Premier and his team are saying nothing and doing nothing.”

Astwood’s suggestions for a more secure TCI against these threats include, increased cybersecurity measures; Email Threat Intelligence; Enhance Emergency Response Training; Explosive Detection Systems; and Email Authentication Protocols.

Despite this it was  Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Immigration and Border Services, who was the first and only legislative official to comment. His words, shared in an update from the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) on Monday after the third and fourth emails included:

“We take each of these threats received to our airports very seriously. They are indeed criminal activity carried out through malicious emails, and the Airports Authority is doing everything within its power to ensure that there is increased security surveillance at its airports. They are also working with the police to crack down on these threats.”

The police are credited with taking action right away after threats were issued, clearing airports and doing safety sweeps. Royal TCI Police also provided the all clear notices in each case.

“If you have any information about the identities of those behind these hoaxes, I urge you to come forward and report it,” appealed the Commissioner, he continued, “We are collaborating with our regional and external partners to tackle this issue, our agency will also do everything possible to protect TCI.”