News
Turks and Caicos Post Cabinet Meeting Statement
#TurksandCaicos, April 28, 2022 – Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Anya Williams, chaired the 11th meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 23 March 2022 at the Premier’s Office on Grand Turk.
All Members were present. At this meeting Cabinet:
- Approved the Estimates of expenditure for a Supplementary Appropriation (No. 3) Bill 2022 for submission to the House of Assembly to facilitate: additional funding of the new pensions scheme; repatriation of irregular migrants; legal claims against government; procurement of assets and land acquisition for government.
- Agreed for the approved Provisional Warrant Resolution 2022-23 to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Fund in respect of the recurrent expenditure for part of FY2022-23 to be advanced to the House of Assembly.
- Approved an extension of the timeline for completion from 3 to 4 years and final Development Agreement between the TCI Government and BBF Cooper Jack Ltd. (The Strand) for the development of luxury residences and vacation villas in Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill, Providenciales.
Was updated on the National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP) of the TCI National Health Insurance Board (NHIB) as at 31st December, 2021. Members approved for the NHIB to go outside of established analogues to recruit and remunerate the Change Manager Operations and Change Manager Finance positions.
- Approved for the TCI Government to host the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) governance meeting in December 2022.
- Approve the appointment of Trevor Cooke as Chairman of the National Insurance Board for a period of 5 years with effect from 1 April 2022 until 31 March 2027. Members also approved the PS Education or his nominee to represent the Government in the absence of the PS of Finance.
Discussed the provision of official office space for the Leader of the Opposition.
- Approved the exemption of Import Customs Duties for the importation of a vehicle for a named individual similar to an existing policy which applies to Leaders of Churches.
- Approved the exemption of Import Customs Duties for the importation of all-terrain vehicles by Chukka Caribbean Adventures for the provision of excursions to cruise ship passengers on Grand Turk. Members also agreed for a revised policy in support of businesses working in the same sector.
- Approved for the TCI Government to enter into negotiations for the purchase of the following Parcels:
a) 10304/156, Grand Turk for the expansion of the tourism corridor on the island,
b) 10304/139 & 140, Grand Turk for the expansion of the tourism corridor on the island,
c) 51205/18, 43 & 44, North Caicos to construct a Community and Recreation Centre, and
d) 10404/157, Grand Turk for the purpose of developing domestic fire and emergency services on Grand Turk.
e) 60607/79, Providenciales, for the purpose of developing several capital infrastructure projects linked to internal and national security including but, not limited to, a Prison Remand Centre, the RTCIPF Marine Branch Base and an Immigration Detention Centre.
- Approved the applications for Class A Processing and Export Licenses from Caicos Seafood Ltd. (Godet Street, South Caicos); Caicos Fisheries Ltd. (Guagabeen Street, South Caicos); DNA Fishing (Albert Capron) and Provo Seafood (Five Cays, Providenciales) and discussed Class B Processing and Export Licenses for further discussion.
- Approved the extension of existing COVID-19 measures and protocols until 30 April 2022 and the following amendments:
a) Removed the requirement of obtaining written permission from the Chief Medical Officer or Chief Environmental Health Officer and written approval (permit) from the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources for any gathering or social activity (whether private or public), including on public beaches
b) Amend quarantine regulations requiring persons to self-isolate for 5 days if they test is positive.
c) Effective May 1st, 2022 only a negative covid-19 test within 72 hours will be required for visitors entry into the Turks and Caicos Islands and Pre-Travel Authorization will be discontinued.
Members also discussed the need for a Covid-19 strategy covering measures and entry requirements going forward.
Noted a paper on the regional implications of the ongoing war in Ukraine and approved the application of a temporary visa regime for Russian and Ukrainian nationals travelling to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
- Noted recommendations by the Procurement Board on the award of the following contracts:
a) TR 21/43, Consultancy Services for the Providenciales International Airport Redevelopment Project;
b) NHIB 03/2021, TR 21/11, Motor Vehicles for the national Health Insurance Board;
c) TCIFSC 02/2021, TR 21/20, Replacement Vehicle for TCI Financial Services Commission;
d) PN 005225, SSP, Homes for Domestic Violence – Providenciales, Ministry of Home Affairs and Transportation;
e) PN 005575, SSP, water Distribution Pumping Station – Grand Turk, Ministry of Home Affairs and Transportation; and
f) PN 005612, SSP, IT Command and Control System (CAD Radio Upgrade All Islands, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
Re-approved the granting of management responsibility to the Public Works Department over parcel 50206/7 for use as a staging area and an asphalt plant to facilitate the planned road works for North Caicos.
- Was updated on issues related to the Ministries of:
1. Immigration, and
2. Education.
Wilkie Arthur
Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, May 15, 2024 – It was an uneasy night on Tuesday May 14 for some residents of Five Cays, Providenciales owing to continuous, serious fire power with gun shots blaring in various areas of the community.
Some say they heard shots in Granny Hill and reported a man walking around with a gun, randomly shooting at unidentifiable targets. Some say shots were heard behind the Enid Capron Primary School. Some say they heard gun shot sounds coming from a residential area as well.
The most compelling accounts, however, were on reported events in another area called “The Wells”; a community in the depths of Five Cays and South Dock.
Criminals took on law enforcement in a gun battle involving the armored truck and a CID vehicle.
No members of the Royal TCI Police were hit.
Not the same for the other side. One person was hit, a young man not known to police and it’s not clear if he was one of the men shooting at the police or an innocently caught in the crossfire.
The man was arrested as a possible suspect. He is also in hospital with an “entrance and exit” gunshot wound.
During the shootout in The Wells, the CID vehicle was shot at repeatedly, disabling its movement as gunfire damaged the engine. Concerning to us, these shootings were at different times and locations but came in rapid succession; one right after the other, I was told.
Most described the sounds as coming “from some big guns.”
Police the morning after allowed me in to see up close.
Video, photos feature my EXCLUSIVE, close-up look at the damage done by criminals; it is clear high powered rifles were used by these suspects still at large.
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – A gruesome discovery was made around midday today (Sunday, May 19th, 2024) when police and fire rescue teams responded to a call at a location on Blue Hills Back Road, off Millennium Highway. The area, situated next to the Fortis Sub-Station, is accessible via a long, secluded dirt road.
Upon arrival, authorities found a vehicle completely engulfed in flames. The vehicle was later removed by police after being alerted by
an anonymous source to its burnt-out location. Local residents indicated that the fire had been ignited around 2-3 a.m. earlier that morning, but authorities were not notified until later in the day.
Residents could not provide details about the individual inside the vehicle or even discern its color due to the extensive damage caused by the fire. Videos of the discovery location are available, but footage of the vehicle itself will be provided once it has been located. The vehicle was reportedly still burning when police arrived at the scene.
Official Royal TCI Police Report:
Media Release – May 19th, 2024: Active Investigation Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) are currently on the scene of a vehicle fire in the Blue Hills, Providenciales area. Acting on received information, officers arrived at the location along North Side Close and discovered a burnt vehicle with what appeared to be a body inside.
The RTCIPF is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances of this incident. As this is an active investigation, more details will be provided to the public as they become available.
May 21, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands have clear laws prohibiting the possession of firearms and or ammunition without a licence and strict penalties in order to serve and protect the community. Our Firearms Ordinance, which was amended in 2022, states that:
No person (other than a licensed gunsmith in the course of his trade) shall have in his possession, discharge or use any firearm or ammunition unless he is the holder of a firearm licence with respect to such firearm, or in case of ammunition he is the holder of a licence for a firearm which takes that ammunition.
Firearm and/or ammunition offences carry a mandatory minimum custodial sentence of twelve years plus a fine. Where a court finds there are exceptional circumstances, the sentencing judge has discretion, under the law, to impose a custodial sentence and a fine that are fair and just in the circumstances of each case rather than impose the mandatory minimum.
The Chief Justice is advancing sentencing guidelines in respect of the application of exceptional circumstances. Wider work is also ongoing with criminal justice partners to review the efficiency and effectiveness of case progression, in driving justice outcomes.
It is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure their baggage is free of firearms and/or ammunition. Permission from an airline carrier does not constitute permission to bring firearms or ammunition into the Turks and Caicos Islands. Travellers are also 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. Such offences will result in arrest.
The Turks and Caicos Islands is a British Overseas Territory with a common law legal system, and reserves the right to enforce its laws. All persons, including visitors, must follow lawful process.
The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes all visitors but reminds travellers that persons in the Turks and Caicos Islands do not have a constitutional right to carry firearms. Equally, 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.
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