Team TCI Takes Gold at 2017 Carifesta in Barbados
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: Monday, September 25, 2017 – Despite being the “new kids on the block”
when they competed for the first time at the 4th Annual Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge, Team TCI brought home
the Gold as well as the title Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge Champions.
The Team attended educational sessions for the first 3 days, before the two-day Competition commenced on August 24.
Team TCI represented by Junior Chefs Christin Green and Kentisha Hall, competed for the title against eight other
Caribbean countries including Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman, Dominica, Grenada, St. Croix, St. Lucia and Trinidad and
Tobago. This year’s Competition was extra special as the teams showcased their culinary skills in front of over 1000
patrons attending the 13th annual Carifesta in Barbados. The theme for this year’s Carifesta XIII was “Asserting Our
Culture, Celebrating Ourselves” and Team TCI did just that when they prepared signature dishes using ingredients like
Hog Bush and Moringa, ingredients used by their grandmothers in their day to day cooking.
Nicholette Thomas, TCHTA’s Office Manager and Team TCI’s chaperon for the Competition stated, “We could not have
selected a better team to represent TCI at this year’s Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge. The professionalism, culinary
skills and maturity displayed by Christin and Kentisha put TCI on top from the get go. They are truly two remarkable
young adults and will definitely succeed in the culinary world. Chef Edwin Gallardo who has been mentoring the team for
the last 8 weeks also attended the Competition with us and provided the Chefs with much needed support. He guided
them without restricting them from using their creativity, which was evident in the dishes they prepared.”
Thomas added, “The highlight of the trip for us was not only winning Gold but seeing Chef Gallardo climb a Moringa tree
in the darkness, while dressed for a semi-formal event to secure leaves for the national dishes. His determination to see
his team succeed even made headlines in the local Barbados news.”
After the first two rounds of the Competition which were the signature National Dish and a mystery basket, Kentisha and
Christin received the highest score of 43.35 out of 50, beating Barbados, Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada and Trinidad &
Tobago for top place. The top three teams, Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands and St. Lucia then competed in the final
mystery basket for the title of Caribbean Junior Duelling Chefs which resulted in Team TCI becoming the reigning
Champions.
Sponsors which made it possible for the team to compete include Ministry of Culture, TCHTA, Seven Stars Resort, Provo
Gold and Country Club.
Update on Hurricane Maria
At 5:00 AM EDT/TEUSDAY/19/SEPTEMBER/2017, the center of Hurricane Maria was located near latitude 16.0° North, longitude 62.3° West, or about 715 miles southeast of Grand Turk and is moving toward the west-northwest near 9 mph. This general motion is expected to continue through Wednesday.
On the forecast track, the eye of Maria will move over the northeastern Caribbean Sea today, and approach the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico tonight and Wednesday, and the Turks & Caicos Islands late Thursday night or Friday morning.
Maximum sustained winds are near 155 mph with higher gusts. Maria is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day or two, but Maria is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous category 4 hurricane when it approaches or is in the vicinity of the Turks & Caicos Islands late Thursday night and Friday.
An Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft is currently investigating Maria.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 934 mbar.
Residents and interests in the Turks & Caicos Islands are reminded to pay special attention to all information on Hurricane Maria as a Hurricane Alert for the Turks & Caicos Islands will likely be posted sometime today.
Notice To Public Servants From The Office Of The Deputy Governor
Dear Public Servants,
Following on from communication challenges on the island of Grand Turk where I was charged with the responsibility to lead on the Post Irma Recovery Efforts for the past 10 days, I am pleased to now be able to address you.
First and foremost, I must thank God for his blessings and for sparing all lives across the entire Turks and Caicos Islands during the passage of Hurricane Irma.
Secondly, I must register my profound thanks to all public servants that have played an integral role in assisting with the recovery process thus far, most especially our Permanent and Deputy Secretaries, Department of Disaster Management, Emergency Responders, Police, Customs, Immigration and many other key personnel that have been fully engaged prior to, during and post Hurricane Irma. Your sacrifice and commitment in the face of having suffered your own personal losses is greatly appreciated.
As the public service is expected to play a key role in the recovery process it is important that the Turks and Caicos Islands Government actively works towards the resumption of services across the entire Turks and Caicos Islands including the reopening of schools.
In this vein, damage assessments have been carried out on government buildings (both owned and leased) and all staff are being asked to return to work on Tuesday, September 19th, 2017 to assist the islands recovery process and to provide critical services to the general public.
As there remains challenges regarding the provision of electricity several buildings have already been equipped with generators and additional stocks are also being procured. Where there has been significant damage and staff can no longer effectively operate from their previous locations, arrangements are being made to either pool departments or to relocate to new premises. Kindly contact your Heads of Departments or Permanent Secretaries in this regard.
Kindly note that effective immediately the Turks and Caicos Islands Government will however operate on reduced working hours from 9am to 3pm each day until further notice.
On a final note, I would like to advise that TCIG is closely monitoring the projected path of Hurricane Maria and its possible effect on the Turks and Caicos Islands. Considering this, I would like to use this opportunity to urge all staff to make the necessary preparations and adjustments to their homes. TCIG will similarly begin to make the necessary preparations including providing advice on the closure of Government services should the Turks and Caicos remain within the affected path.
Kindly note that a separate announcement will be made regarding the resumption of schools.
Once again thank you for your continued stewardship and dedication as we seek to rebuild our beautiful islands.
Joint Press Statement - H.E Governor Dr John Freeman and Premier Hon Sharlene Robinson
It is ten days since Hurricane Irma devastated parts of the Turks and Caicos Islands. We thank God that no lives were lost but we are all too conscious of the damage done to people’s homes – not least to the homes of the most disadvantaged members of our communities – as well as to core infrastructure.
Since Irma’s passage across the islands we have been wholly engaged on the provision of help to those most in need and upon the process of gradual recovery from Irma’s worst effects, especially in our family Islands. To this end the TCIG has been and remains totally dedicated through all relevant agencies led by DDME but including government ministries and also non-governmental bodies and organisations, not least the commercial sector to direct help and assistance where most needed.
But assistance and recovery from such a disaster cannot be achieved by TCI alone, resilient as the people of these Islands are and as they have proved once again. We have therefore welcomed the very considerable level of advice and direct help provided by the UK, Canada, Cayman Islands, Bermuda and other governments and by regional and other international bodies and organisations. Such assistance is ongoing, but we wish here to highlight the following contributions – which in the case of military forces are not about boots and policing but about vital aid to local communities which is being warmly welcomed – to assist immediately and directly the recovery of the most challenged parts of these Islands:
– UK military have been helping to clear debris and repair buildings in order to restore services. For example they have cleared out several Government buildings including the Treasury to allow reconstruction to commence.
– In South Caicos, the UK military have made repairs to the clinic, decontaminated water storage tanks and have cleaned up primary and high schools anticipating their reopening.
– The UK military are working closely with the Bermudan military, who have sent 30 of their rank to assist in Grand Turk, and the Canadian military who have a frigate ship based off South Caicos from which they to are assisting the local community, not least with provision of water.
– The UK’s Department for International Development has delivered 400 shelter kits and 655 litres of bottled water to South Caicos.
– Yesterday in Provo, UK Aid delivered 276 shelter kits which include two 7×5 tarpaulin sheets and 24m of rope each, these are vital for repairing roofs.
– UK Aid will shortly be delivering a health kit to South Caicos which contains enough vaccines for 10,000 people for three months.
We remain grateful for the additional show of support from the UK Government evidenced by the visit of Lord Ahmad, Minister of State at the FCO with responsibility for the UK Overseas Territories. We are equally grateful for the visits of regional leaders and the visit of the Chairman of Caricom, Prime Minister of Grenada, Hon Dr Keith Mitchell who led a high level Caribbean delegation in a show of regional support.
Hurricane Maria
Our responsibility for disaster management does not of course end with Irma and we must state clearly now that the recently formed Hurricane Maria may also pose a threat to the TCI later this week. Once again we must make ourselves ready as a community and as individuals to face down that new Hurricane should it, as currently seems highly possible, threaten and risk further damage to these Islands and people.
We in government will again prepare shelters and take other measures; but this must involve us all as individuals and families and we encourage you now to prepare as best you are able to take steps to ensure adequate water and food provision both during as well as after the possible passage of Maria which is forecast currently to be possible on Thursday and Friday of this week.
Premier's Daily Update (Sep 14th, 2017)
- Briefing with critical Departments continued.
- Held a Press Conference with HE and Deputy Premier. Fortis, The Commissioner of Police, UK Military joined us.
- Power continues to be restored throughout Provo with a brief outage last evening. Water production remains up.
- There is no fuel shortage on Island and fuel continues to be distributed throughout the Islands.
- Welcomed St Lucia's Prime Minister, Minister of Aviation, Minister of Tourism and Attorney General yesterday. They came to show support but to also represent OECS.
- I was able to speak with the Head of the OECS who will assist in our recovery efforts.
- Welcomed Team Rubicon, Canadian Disaster Assistance Team and 3 Businessmen from Arizona who offer their plane for airlift around the Islands.
- H.E and I traveled to Grand Turk. Addressed concessions granted and Customs Order signed for relief items. Secured more water for Grand Turk. Second major Bank assessed it damages. Insurance Adjusters begin to arrive in GT.
- Met briefly with Carnival Owner, Giora Israel in GT. He traveled with Senior Reps and Engineers. The Pier sustained no damage and once the Cruise Port is repaired, ships will come in. Mr Israel assured us of his commitment to reopen the Port and to aid Grand Turk.
- H.E and I traveled to South Caicos. Toured again with DC and hear of needs. Private Relief and Government relief in South Caicos. Power was restored to the Airport and along the road to the Airport. Heavy equipment and tarps needed. Water was donated by East Bay. Sail Rock provided trucking for the water and clean up and equipment for the Dock. Hope Organisation and Flow were on the ground.
- Landed in Salt Cay and met DC and Ast DC and Police there. UNDAC was also on the ground. Relief Items to be taken in as a few persons return to the Island.
- Met with Rubis to discuss fuel levels and donations. There remains enough fuel on Island.
- The Hospitals are gradually getting back into more and more services. GT Dialysis paitents are traveling to Provo for dialysis. Jad a few med evacs overseas.
- Flow and Digicel are increasingly restoring services.
CUSTOMS (IMPORT DUTY EXEMPTION) ORDER 2017
Press Statement from Hon. Dr Rufus Ewing
This is my first official public statement since the unfortunate and catastrophic impact of Hurricane Irma. I resisted making a statement other than wishing goodwill on my people for several reasons, but the main one being that during these challenging times we need to be focused squarely on rebuilding our beautiful country, bringing it back to normalcy and getting our people the relief that they need to get back on their feet.
However, there are several issues that trouble me that I see as counter productive or not facilitating our recovery efforts. I would address the first one now as the level of hypocrisy by the British government's infuriates me.
These islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands otherwise known as British Overseas Territories, yes "British Overseas Territories" of which the Queen is Head of State where her appointed Governor represents her interest are now conveniently considered to be "foreign". Even during this current declared "state of emergency" where the U.K. Govenor is fully in charge and can bring in British troops without the consent of the people. But we are now "foreign" not "British" and cannot qualify for foreign aid because of our OECD status of being a wealthy country. I cry shame on the British Government with a Department for International Development that can find £25million of aid to help Rohingya Muslims being driven from their homes by the military but cannot support its own. Mind you not that I want the support, especially when it comes with strings attached as it did with our $260M loan guarentee, but it is the principle of the matter of the British Government living up to its obligation. Furthermore the time is more than right for us to be reimbursed the millions of dollars spent on the ongoing and never ending SIPT trials. As we say locally if you not helping us you are hurting us and so you should cut us loose and let us go so we can find allies who would be more generous and with whom we can have greater mutual benefits.
It is obvious that the U.K. Government is calling the shots with respect to the management of post hurricane Irma disaster, because I am sure if our elected Government were calling the shots the general public would know and would have been forewarned of the massive presence of British troops in the islands carrying out the duties as police officers. I agree with the need for prevention of violence and looting, but communicating the need for these strategies is what our citizens, residents and visitors expect rather than be alarmed about a military invasion and imposition of martial law.
One full week has now passed since the hurricane has decimated our capital Grand Turk and South Caicos and the only utterances we have heard from the British government give us no indication that their sovereign commitment to these islands will involve anything more than the customary transient presence to troops in the acute post disaster phase. To the British I say: Coming to our shores with guns and boots doesnt bring our people relief they need, you need to instead come with some of the £13 billion in aid funds that have been earmarked for the British Overseas Territories. If you cannot get the OECD regulations changed then you need to fund this relief effort yourself because we are owed this and much more by your government. This is a moral disgrace of international proportions that must be remidied immediately!
We the overseas territories want a partnership not dictatorship!
Premier's Daily Update (Sep 13th, 2017)
- Briefing with critical Departments continued.
- Held a Press Conference with HE and Deputy Premier. Fortis, The Commissioner of Police, UK Military joined us.
- Power continues to be restored throughout Provo with a brief outage last evening. Water production remains up.
- There is no fuel shortage on Island and fuel continues to be distributed throughout the Islands.
- Welcomed St Lucia's Prime Minister, Minister of Aviation, Minister of Tourism and Attorney General yesterday. They came to show support but to also represent OECS.
I was able to speak with the Head of the OECS who will assist in our recovery efforts. - Welcomed Team Rubicon, Canadian Disaster Assistance Team and 3 Businessmen from Arizona who offer their plane for airlift around the Islands.
- H.E and I traveled to Grand Turk. Addressed concessions granted and Customs Order signed for relief items. Secured more water for Grand Turk. Second major Bank assessed it damages. Insurance Adjusters begin to arrive in GT.
- Met briefly with Carnival Owner, Giora Israel in GT. He traveled with Senior Reps and Engineers. The Pier sustained no damage and once the Cruise Port is repaired, ships will come in. Mr Israel assured us of his commitment to reopen the Port and to aid Grand Turk.
- H.E and I traveled to South Caicos. Toured again with DC and hear of needs. Private Relief and Government relief in South Caicos. Power was restored to the Airport and along the road to the Airport. Heavy equipment and tarps needed. Water was donated by East Bay. Sail Rock provided trucking for the water and clean up and equipment for the Dock. Hope Organisation and Flow were on the ground.
- Landed in Salt Cay and met DC and Ast DC and Police there. UNDAC was also on the ground. Relief Items to be taken in as a few persons return to the Island.
- Met with Rubis to discuss fuel levels and donations. There remains enough fuel on Island.
- The Hospitals are gradually getting back into more and more services. GT Dialysis paitents are traveling to Provo for dialysis. Jad a few med evacs overseas.
- Flow and Digicel are increasingly restoring services.
We are on our way to recovery!
Hurricane Irma - Sep. 14, 2017 - Hon. Akierra Mary Deanne Missick (September 2017)
It is with a grateful heart that we thank Our Lord God for seeing us through during the passage of Hurricane Irma. When we look at how we fared compared to our neighbors who Irma also visited, we can indeed say the TCI is blessed, and must continue to give thanks and praise.
I’ve had an opportunity to visit with residents in Leeward and Long Bay before and after the passage of Hurricane Irma. Many of my neighbors fared as well as can be expected with a storm of that magnitude, but there are a great number of them whose homes look well and fine from the outside but inside tells a very somber and different story. The one common thread in Leeward and Long Bay is that we are ready to rebuild. To my excitement, when I read TCIG were proposing a Concession Order also known as a “tax holiday” on materials and goods for rebuilding, I shared the news with my constituents.
While I am grateful that a “tax holiday” will be provided in the Turks & Caicos Islands for the importation of goods and materials to assist in the rebuilding exercise, I must express my concerns and lobby the Government on behalf of the People of Leeward and Long Bay and the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to extend the “tax holiday” for a further month.
As it stand now the Concession Order as written, provides a list of items that can be imported and benefit from the “tax holiday”. The list is extensive, and for that we are grateful as Hurricane Irma, left more than structural damage in her wake. The reality is rebuilding for many of us, stems further than lost shingles and roof tiles, but also we have seen extensive damage to furniture, clothes, books, office and home supplies and appliances due to water and wind damage. My greatest concern is the deadline of October 31st 2017 to benefit from the “tax holiday”. Many of my constituents whom I’ve spoken with in relation to the “tax holiday” cannot be in a position to benefit from the “tax holiday” by October 31st 2017.
Whilst duties on imports are a revenue stream for Turks & Caicos Islands Government, and we are in the 3rd quarter where revenue dips, the 4th quarter will occur in the high season with many resorts predicting reopening for the high-season.
Firstly, TCIG Civil Service received an advance on their September salary by 50% in order to prepare for Hurricane Irma. That advance is repayable in the October pay period. Secondly, Private Sector employees will have just 4 weeks’ salary to utilize to purchase goods and materials and have them shipped to the Islands by October 31st 2017 in order to benefit from the “tax holiday”. This is not feasible; many of us had to prepare for Back to School, and then Hurricane Irma, causing savings to take a double hit at one time. Now we are also using the last dollars in savings to make basic repairs to properties and business in case there is a substantial amount of rain over the next few weeks, clean-up post Hurricane Irma costs are mounting for us to attempt to have semblance of a normal life. Many are still without electricity and will be so for the foreseeable next few weeks, and thus using funds to fuel generators, and or purchasing batteries for fans and flash lights. It should be noted that October 31st 2017 is a mere 6 weeks from now. How is this “tax holiday” going to benefit Islanders, when those that had insurance may not be able to have their payouts processed in time to purchase and ship their goods, and for those without insurance how can they borrow in a time like this?
I urge the Government, to extend this deadline by another month, which would capture a further pay period for Islanders, so that they can rebuild at costs plus freight, and return these beautiful by nature Islands and their lives back to normalcy.
29 Year Old Arrested on Suspicion of Murder
Detectives of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating an incident that occurred last night (Tuesday 12 th September 2017) that left a 44 year old male dead in Providenciales.
Around 7pm, Police responded to the parking lot area of Club Pillows The Bight, where information was received that the 44 year old male got into a physical altercation with another male, he became unresponsive and was taken to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre. While at the Hospital he was pronounced dead.
A 29 year old male is arrested on suspicion of Murder in connection with this report.
Investigations are ongoing into this matter.
Selena Gomez reveals she's recovering from kidney transplant
Selena Gomez dropped a bombshell on her Instagram Thursday morning, revealing she's been recovering from a kidney transplant.
Selena, 25, posted a picture taken in a hospital room, in which a smiling Gomez is laying in a bed, tenderly holding the hand of another young woman lying in a bed to her right. The caption reads, in part, "I'm very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health."
After thanking her family and her doctors, Gomez also introduced her fans to her donor, the woman next to her.
"And finally, there aren't words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis."
Raisa, 29, is an actress, best-known for her role on TV's The Secret Life of the American Teenager. She and Selena have been friends for some time.
Selena revealed in 2015 that she suffered from lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, and even underwent chemotherapy as part of her treatment. She's occasionally taken breaks from her career to manage both the disease and the anxiety she's confessed it causes her, and as recently as last March, she made a sizeable donation to the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine to establish the Selena Gomez Fund for Lupus Research.
"Lupus is still very much understood, but progress is being made," Selena writes in her Instagram post.