TCI News

Editorial: Resolve in Beaches case is Urgent and Important

Published

4 years ago

October 25, 2020

By Deandrea Hamilton – October 25, 2020 — Why won’t the Turks and Caicos Islands Government just turn up at the table in the Beaches Resort dispute? There are so many solid reasons the Government should make every effort to confront the law suit and the claims.

The squabble had long ago gone public and why the wrangle rages on is concerning on many levels. Chief among them is that Beaches Resort is an investor and customer of the TCI Government, another is the fact if the Government is right about its position, the country stands to benefit fiscally to the tune of tens of millions of dollars from settlement of the suit.

Even the National Audit Office of the Turks and Caicos Islands is desperately worried about money managers and money management systems within the TCI Government.

The Auditor General, in the financial statements report for the year ending March 2018 made striking interpretations, candidly expressing in the Executive Summary that, “We remain extremely concerned about inaccurate financial reporting over 10 years or more of disclaimers or adverse audit opinions, weak financial controls…” the report also said: “Arrears have significantly increased over the last several years. Currently, there exists $165 million owed to TCIG…”

Frighteningly, these kinds of reveals not only punctuate but populate the report which is a public document, available at the National Audit Office website.

Government should act with haste given there are thousands of people dependent upon Beaches resort for their personal economies; hundreds of businesses which experience healthier earnings due to the over 70 percent of long stay arrivals Beaches Resort attracts; the myriad of taxes government gains due to the bustle of arrivals and commercial activity and one has to challenge whether the Government cares as much as it says it does given these factors.

Government-spun handouts to help are not going well amidst the pandemic. The country is cash-strapped and entered a recession 25 days ago.

Magnetic Media has fielded and published a variety of comments on the matter; many wish they did not know about this fiasco and all want it to stop. Basically, islanders tell us they want airlines to come back, tourists to come in and money to start making.

Should Beaches get away with paying its taxes? Certainly not! Now more than ever, Turks and Caicos needs that money, so how about someone actually making a move to get it.

It truly is a wonder why TCIG seems so complacent in gathering up these acorns for what economists predict will be a very, very long winter; and $26.5 million is a lot of acorns.

Beaches has delivered on some strong language which has elicited raised eyebrows, mine included. But I’ve had to ask myself are the characterisations really off-base?

Action speaks louder than words.

Bottom line, if we want to reignite the buoyancy of tourism in Turks and Caicos, which is hinged on this strategic alliance with Beaches Resort; I may have to reluctantly agree that the labels are hard but true.

Here is what the Auditor said: “The NAO is especially concerned now that since raising this audit issue over six years ago, millions in Capital Assets ($425 million and quite probably more) have not been properly accounted for. We are unsure as to what these amounts make up, where they are located, their condition and whether or not they will ever be accounted for.”

Residents have turned their anger about these characterisations upon the resort when more accurately, this is a time when TCI Government should not be allowed to get away with its lack of transparency and accountability this hundreds of millions of dollars the Auditor’s Report claims the country was owed up to the end of 2017-2018 fiscal year.

It is not okay that the TCI Government plugs along at virtually no pace regarding this matter, all the while earning an uninterrupted, full salary while thousands of personal incomes are cut, thousands are laid off, thousands are in need of socio-economic support and businesses have had to shut their doors.

Many families are valiantly struggling to make ends meet. Meanwhile, relevant leaders are on vacation. Able to take themselves away from the stresses brought on by the coronavirus, while, it seems intentionally escalating a matter instead of ‘handling’ it.

Maybe Government leaders did need that pay-cut. A slash in salaries over seven or eight months, as it has been for thousands of residents, may have fostered empathy and urgency.

But there is no pay cut for them and there is no urgency from them.

So, to the country leaders we note that there is time, though very little and there is ZOOM.

It would seem more in synch with the struggle of the residents in this season, if vacations were cut short or interrupted in order to give the Beaches Resort matter some undivided attention and equitable closure.

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Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

News

Signage regarding Prohibition of Jet skis in Protected Areas

Published

1 day ago

April 30, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

South Side Jet-ski Buoy

Providenciales, Tuesday 30 April, 2024 – The Department of Environment and Coastsal Resources (DECR) would like to make all jetski operators, jetski owners, jetski users, watersports operators, tour guides, and the public aware of ‘No jetski’ buoys that have been installed within the Princess Alexandra Land and Sea National Park and Nature Reserve.

Additional buoys will continue to be deployed and are strategically positioned along the perimeter of protected areas, serving as a clear boundary beyond which jet skis are not permitted. All jet ski users are to heed that jet skis are strictly prohibited within all protected areas in the Turks and Caicos Islands, in accordance with the National Park Ordinance (11 of 1975):

Section 3(1) Prohibitions and permitted activities within all National Parks

(g) Jet skis and hovercraft

Section 3(2) Prohibitions and permitted activities within all Nature Reserves

(f) Water skiing, jet skis or hovercraft

Section 3(3) Prohibitions and permitted activities within all Sanctuaries

Water skiing, jet skis or hovercraft

Emerald Point Buoy

Section 3(4) Prohibitions and permitted activities within all Areas of Historical Interest

(g) Water skiing, jet skis or hovercraft

A person contravening these regulations commits an offense and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of between $5,000 and $50,000 or a term of imprisonment, or both, as per Section 13 of the National Park Ordinance.

The accompanying map delineates the protected areas (highlighted in red) and indicates the placement of the buoys. It should be emphasized that the regions shaded in red signify areas where jet skis are not prohibited.

Should you require further clarity, please contact the DECR at (649)338-4170 or email environment@gov.tc

Government

RECENT CHARGES AGAINST US NATIONALS FOR POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION OFFENCES

Published

3 days ago

April 29, 2024

Shanieka

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government cannot comment on ongoing legal cases before the courts but confirms the following four (4) US nationals have been charged for possession of ammunition offences against the Firearms Ordinance (as amended).

MICHAEL LEE EVANS, 72, of Texas, pled guilty to possession of seven (7) 9mm rounds of ammunition. Appeared before the court on Wednesday, 24th April 2024, via video conference link. Currently on bail, with sentencing hearing adjourned to June 18th, 2024.
BRYAN HAGERICH, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to possession of twenty rounds of ammunition (rifle rounds). Currently on bail. Scheduled to reappear in court on May 3rd, 2024.
TYLER SCOTT WENRICH, 31, of Virginia, is currently remanded at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (Grand Turk). He is charged with possession of two (2) 9mm rounds. He has not applied for bail.
RYAN TYLER WATSON, 40, of Oklahoma, currently on bail, charged with possession of four (4) rounds of ammunition. Appeared in court on April 24th, 2024. The matter was adjourned to June 7th, 2024

Persons in the Turks and Caicos Islands do not have a constitutional right to carry firearms. The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes all visitors but reminds travellers that the importation of firearms, ammunition (including stray bullets), and other weapons is strictly forbidden unless licence to do so has been issued by the Commissioner of Police.

The Turks and Caicos Islands have clear laws against the possession of firearms and or ammunition and strict penalties in order to serve and protect the community. Firearm and or ammunition offences carry a mandatory minimum custodial sentence of twelve years plus a fine. An Attorney General’s Reference to the Court of Appeal certified that where a court finds there are exceptional circumstances, the sentencing judge has discretion to impose a custodial sentence (less than the twelve years) and a fine that are fair and just in the circumstances of each case. The Turks and Caicos Islands is a British Overseas Territory with a common law legal system.

Travellers are strongly advised to search their luggage before they travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands to ensure they do not bring in forbidden items inadvertently. The Turks and Caicos Islands reserves the right to enforce its legislation and all visitors must follow its law enforcement procedures.

The Transportation Security Administration screening in the United States may not identify ammunition in a traveller’s baggage; it is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure their baggage is free of ammunition and/or firearms. Permission from an airline carrier does not constitute permission to bring firearms or ammunition into the Turks and Caicos Islands and will result in arrest.

Health

Increased cases of Chicken Pox Prompts Ministry of Health and Human Services Response

Published

5 days ago

April 27, 2024

Shanieka

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/.