Former Ministers of the Michael Missick administration and others heavily bailed
The Governor's spokesperson Nick Smith confirmed on behalf of SIPT the Special Investigations and Prosecution Team - the levels of bail that was set as a result of yesterday's court proceedings, which saw 9 persons, including former Ministers of the Michael Missick administration, hauled before the court in Providenciales for a sufficiency hearing in connection with allegations contained in Sir Robin Auld's Commission of enquiry report of allegations of corruption.
Sources tell RTC News that the mood of those appearing was very somber as they faced the grim reality of what had been hanging over their heads for years; a trial that could very well result in possible incarceration for some of those persons.
The hearing reportedly lasted well after 6p.m. and when it was all over, former Finance Minister Floyd Hall was placed on $500,000 bail, Lisa Hall, Quentin Hall, Earlson Robinson each received $100,000 bail; Lillian Boyce, Melbourne Wilson, Samuel Been and Jeffrey Hall each received $175,000 bail.
Developer Richard Pagett was initially remanded, however, he was released on stringent bail conditions of $1.8 million dollars late last night, following an appeal to the Chief Justice. Pending the outcome of his bail recognizance, he cannot leave the island.
Government Steps Up Preparations for Country Poverty Assessment
Government's plans to conduct a Country Poverty Assessment (CPA)intensified today Tuesday, with a preparatory training session for the team which will guide the process.
TCIG will conduct the Country Poverty Assessment during the first quarter of 2012, in tandem with the national population census. It will be done with the assistance of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) The CPA's overall objective is to assess the current conditions affecting the welfare of people, and identify policies, strategies, action programmes and projects that would reduce the extent and severity of poverty in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The assessment would emphasise analyses of the poverty situation for men, women, youth and children, the processes that generate and maintain conditions conducive to poverty, existing responses to the poverty situation and the means available for more vigorous and effective actions to reduce poverty. It would also include a baseline assessment of the current status in the attainment of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with respect to national and Caribbean-specific targets and indicators. It is intended to be used by the Government and development organisations to enhance social development and improve
overall quality of life in the Turks and Caicos Islands for all social groups.
CDB has provided a team of consultants to lead the process and give the necessary technical assistance needed for the project to be successful.
Also because of the importance of this exercise, the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands (GOTCI) has appointed a National Assessment Team
(NAT) to provide the local implementation guidance and support during the conduct of the CPA.
The NAT comprises a core of persons from Government agencies responsible for statistics and social and economic policy, including the Statistics Department and Ministries with responsibility for Social Development, Education, Health, and Economic Development; Non-Governmental Organisations, Community Based Organisations, and the private sector. They will undertake the assessment, monitor poverty indicators and execute future CPAs. Other persons will also be co-opted by the core members to complement the membership on the NAT. The NAT will also establish sub-committees to advise it, and to take action on its behalf on special
matters pertaining to the CPA.
Man found floating in water on Grace Bay, TCI
Police try to identify a John Doe found floating in the water off Ocean Club West Resort in Provo
Police in Provo are trying to identify the body of a man, found floating in the water off Ocean Club West Resort in Providenciales.
Police reported to RTC News that at approximately 6:55am yesterday Monday 5th December, a deceased African-American male was found floating in the water off Ocean Club West Resort, Grace Bay, Providenciales.
The identity of the deceased male is unknown. Police refer to him as Joe and describe him as approximately 5' 9" in height, 190-200lbs, medium built, with short hair and a round face.
An autopsy is being performed to ascertain the cause of death.
The Police are asking for the public's assistance as it relates to this incident. Anyone who can assist in identifying this John Doe or who has any
knowledge of the circumstances which may have led to his death, are asked to contact the Police at 946-4259, 999, or through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIPS (8477) or through a web tip on www.crimestoppers.tc or as a friend of crime stoppers Turks and Caicos on Facebook.
Turks and Caicos Tourist Board Co-Sponsors Christmas Tree Lighting
The spirit and traditions of the holiday season is here again and the Kiwanis Club of Grand Turk and the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board are partnering to bring about some holiday cheer to the island of Grand Turk.
On Saturday, December 10, 2011 the Kiwanis Club, along with the Tourist Board will be lighting the tree and all that accompanies this festive time of year at the Lester Williams Community Park.
Director of Tourism, Ralph Higgs offered these kind words in supporting this event partnership "the Tourist Board is delighted to collaborate with such a positive, active group in the community that continuously strive for stronger social and community development, a key cornerstone on their agenda. "
The Secretary of the Club and Co-ordinator for the event, Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson said "during this time of great national and personal challenges, it is important that we celebrate the Birth of Jesus, our source of hope. And it is equally important that we not allow our country's traditions to fade."
Mrs. Robinson further added "the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony has become a cultural staple on our Christmas Calendar and we are committed to ensuring that it remains. We have done our best to improve over the past three years and I believe this year's celebration will be the best by far.
We have a number of new partners in this venture and we are grateful for their commitment to the children and communities of Grand Turk. We as a Kiwanis family remain committed as our motto which says 'serving the children of the world.'"
The Christmas Tree Lighting will also be sponsored by corporate partners in the community of Grand Turk, namely, Grand Turk Cruise Center, Turks and Caicos Utilities, Tropical Shipping, The Governor's Office and LIME.
The event, which starts at six in the evening, will have a number of selections performed by members of the community, as well as a musical performances by the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Combo Band.
Consultative Forum Meeting set for 13th December 2011
The Consultative Forum meets in open session on Tuesday 13th December from 9:30 am at the NJS Francis building, Grand Turk. There are twenty-four questions for oral answers from the Chief Executive and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance. The Forum will also debate two bills; on the census and statistics, referred by HE the Governor and receive a presentation by Member Dr. Linda Williams.
RTC News will have the forum live on Radio Turks & Caicos and via our streams on this website.
Residents Encouraged to Practice Energy Conservation
With rising crude oil prices continuing to affect the Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as the recently announced increase in the Customs Processing Fee, FortisTCI Ltd is once again encouraging residents to practice good energy conservation, especially during the upcoming Christmas period.
FortisTCI’s fuel factor rate, which is determined by the price of diesel oil charged by the Company’s fuel supplier, has been on the increase because of the constant rise in world crude oil prices. The November fuel factor rate, which will appear on customers’ December bills is $0.2322 KWH, an increase from October’s rate of $0.2312.
Allan Robinson, VP of Customer and Corporate Services, stressed the importance of energy conservation, noting that, “FortisTCI is very focused on lowering the cost of generating electricity. We have achieved significant increases in fuel efficiency which means that every gallon of fuel we don’t have to purchase translates into savings for our customers.”
Mr. Robinson further noted, “FortisTCI will also embark on an energy audit exercise in January 2012, which will see our T&D team visiting interested customers who would like to carry out their own energy audit surveys. These audits are free and will assist customers in becoming more aware of their electricity consumption and help manage their electricity bills.”
For more information on the Fuel Factor Rate and Energy Conservation tip, persons should visit FortisTCI’s website at www.fortistci.com.
Remarks at CPA Orientation Workshop in Grand Turk
PS Finance Delton Jones made the following remarks at the CPA workshop held in Grand Turk. Here is the full text of his speech.
It is indeed a privilege for me to make remarks at this orientation workshop for the TCI Country Poverty Assessment (CPA).
In bringing these remarks, I must first thank the Caribbean Development Bank for providing the funding for the CPA. I would also like to congratulate the Project Consultants on their winning bid, based on our initial meeting yesterday I am looking forward to working along with you as you work along with us – the National Assessment Team – to undertake this very important and timely survey.
Finally, I would like to thank all of you here for accepting the invitation from the Ministry of Finance to serve on the NAT. I would also like to pay tribute to Mr. and Mrs Forbes and the team at DEPS for their dedication to the CPA process in the current very challenging civil service context.
I would like to point out that during 1999 the Bank provided assistance to the TCI to undertake a CPA, as part of a wider regional project. I was a part of that process and I am pleased that report of the earlier CPA was a seminal work on social and economic development conditions in the TCI, whose recommendations informed poverty reduction and other socioeconomic policies at the time: for example A Poverty Reduction Action Plan was prepared and was the basis for TCI assistance under the Bank’s Basic Needs Trust Fund Program for a number of years. Indeed a number of other empowerment interventions by successive TCI Governments in the areas of health, education and small business development found their genesis in the 1999 CPA report.
When the CPA was undertaken the intention was to develop in-country capacity to carry similar assessments every five (5) years. Due to capacity gaps the CPAs have not been updated. In insuring period economic and social conditions and indeed the face of poverty in the TCI has changed. We have experienced unprecedented economic growth and an even more spectacular bust, whose consequences we are still grappling with today – the impacts of which are influencing the poverty conditions which the CPA will analysis and measure.
The current CPA is critical and will therefore look at poverty conditions in the TCI since 1999 while paying particular attention to building local capacity for future updating of the CPA and carrying out other relevant surveys from time to time. There will no doubt be very revealing results, which I am sure would be widely debated in our community and further afield.
The CPA in the TCI will benefit from the vast experience of the CDB over the years and will be undertaken following tried and tested methodology; which gives us the assurance the objectives of the CPA will be achieved. It should be noted that the overall objective of the CPA is to assess the current conditions affecting the welfare of the people, identify policies, strategies action programs and projects that would reduce the extent and severity of poverty in the TCI. The CPA would analyses poverty conditions taking into consideration gender, age and demographic issues, the processes that generate and maintain conditions conducive to poverty, existing responses to poverty and improved responses to poverty
The CPA methodology has the following elements: a quantitative survey of living conditions; a qualitative assessment of macro-social and economic environment, institutional analyses and participatory poverty assessment. These would be complemented by a poverty and social impact analysis (PSIA) of current programs.
The results of the CPA would inform poverty reduction and alleviation policies and other education, health and employment strategies within the country. They would also inform the design of future donor programs in the TCI. The CPA would also look at progress on achieving the Millennium Development Goals and provide a basis for international comparison with other countries.
This time around the TCI will seek to integrate the CPA with the Census and the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES). This would ensure complementary actions to limit duplication and maximize capacity.
In ending these remarks I would like to make a few comments on the role of the NAT and its importance.
The National Assessment Team (NAT) working in collaboration with the Government, the Project Consultants is actually the owner of the CPA. This why today we have assembled stakeholders and representation consisting of officials from the government statistics department, the departments responsible for social and economic policies, health, education and gender affairs; CBO and NGOs. This proposed broad based NAT will ensure views and perspectives from various disciplines and spheres of influence which both cause and seek to address poverty conditions are brought together as part of the CPA process.
As so today the orientation workshop is designed to elaborate on the CPA process and the roles and responsibilities of the NAT and other parties such as the Bank, the government and the consultant. So once we leave here today we must be assured of our respective role s and what we can do to ensure that the CPA is successful.
The key point we have to promote is local ownership of the CPA through and active NAT. This is vital if we are have the local capacity to update the CPA in the future.
Therefore Your role, our role, my role as a member of the NAT is of critical importance if we are to have a success result. We therefore will work towards ensuring the NAT is effectively organized to carry out its work across the length and breadth of the TCI. This will ensure that local knowledge and islands and community specific conditions are captured and reflected in the CPA process. The NAT would also contribute to successful results by assisting with data collection and organizing and hosting community level meetings. There would also be subcommittees of the NAT to look at specific issues. We also envisage that the NAT would be involved in championing the CPA and also in local public relations. To facilitate the NAT the government will provide secretariat services to prepare and organize meetings, mount a public relations program and ensure information distribution and communications with the members of the NAT.
Thank you for your presence here today and welcome again.
Delton Jones
NATO, Russia Still at Odds over Missile Shield
NATO foreign ministers failed to ease Russian fears over a proposed missile defense shield in Europe.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Thursday the sides still have differences over the proposal but plan to keep talking. He also rejected Moscow's claims that the shield could be used against Russia.
Rasmussen spoke following a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Brussels.
Russia warned Wednesday that the U.S. and NATO were forcing a new arms race by deploying a missile defense shield in Europe.
Last week, Russia officially opened a new anti-missile radar station in the Baltic Sea region of Kaliningrad.
Russia says it is willing to cooperate with the West and work together to share technology and jointly build a missile defense system — a proposal NATO has already rejected. Russian Chief of Staff General Nikolai Makarov questioned why NATO will not meet Russia halfway and suggested the alliance's refusal means they have something to gain from it.
The two-day session will also take a look at efforts in Afghanistan and the withdrawal of foreign troops from the war-torn country in 2014. The meeting will also focus on the ongoing NATO mission in Kosovo.
Chinese consumers worried about contaminated Meiji milk
Many Chinese milk consumers said they will stop purchasing Japanese Meiji products after the company said that radioactive cesium was discovered in their infant milk powder on Tuesday.
"I was supposed to ask my aunt to purchase some Meiji milk powder products in Japan because of the high quality," a pregnant Beijing resident told the Global Times on Wednesday.
"But I do not plan to buy their products and will purchase American or Dutch milk powder instead," she said, adding she would not purchase any Japanese food either as it might also be contaminated with radiation.
She also said that one of her relatives, whose child drank the contaminated milk, was extremely nervous about the physical harm which could come to her child.
Separately, numerous Sina microbloggers also expressed their concern over other Meiji products, such as Meiji chocolates.
"Are Meiji chocolates also contaminated since its milk products are polluted?” asked one Web user named "Shenshenzhou" who posted the message Wednesday on Sina Weibo, China's Twitter-like service.
Meiji said on Tuesday that up to 30.8 becquerels (a unit of radioactivity) per kilogram were found in the milk powder and it has started recalling 400,000 contaminated cans, which were only sold in Japan with an October 2012 expiration date.
A huge number of Chinese consumers purchased Meiji milk via online sales dealers and expressed their concerns over whether their product could also be recalled by the company.
Xu Xia, who works in the marketing department at the Meiji Dairies Cooperation in Shanghai, told the Global Times on Wednesday they did not receive any news from the company’s headquarters whether the contaminated products purchased online by Chinese consumers will be recalled.
However, customers can directly send back the recalled products to the Saitama Factory?Co, Ltd, a manufacturer?of Meiji in Saitama, Japan, for a replacement, according to Meiji’s website, which did not say whether or not any of the items bought by their Chinese customers will experience a recall at some level.
The Yangtze Evening News reported on Tuesday that all contaminated Meiji milk products have been removed from taobao.com, one of China's most famous B2C platforms. And those who purchased the contaminated products can ask for a refund from the sales dealers according to their order numbers.
Putin Accuses US of Provoking Unrest
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is lashing out at the United States, accusing Washington of riling up the opposition.
Mr. Putin said Thursday that remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton “gave a signal” to his opponents.
Clinton said Tuesday that Russia's parliamentary elections were neither free nor fair, and that the results raised “serious concerns.”
Opposition leaders have overseen three days of protests to express their frustration with the elections. International observers say Sunday's vote was marred by widespread allegations of ballot-box stuffing and other irregularities.
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has called for Russia's parliamentary election to be annulled and a new vote held. The 80-year-old said the results do not reflect the will of the people.
Fifty-thousand police officers backed by helicopters patrolled the streets of Moscow Wednesday – arresting 50 demonstrators – in a show of force. Security officials said 550 people had been arrested in Moscow protests the night before.
A social networking site is promising nightly protests, but Russia's state-run television channels have not mentioned the protests or the police buildup.
Opposition organizers have scheduled four major protests to be held in Moscow over the next 10 days, with the first set for Saturday near the Kremlin. Authorities have granted a permit for 300 people, but 23,000 have pledged to attend through Facebook and a Russian social networking site.
Pro-government supporters also rallied around the Kremlin. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's United Russia party won Sunday's vote, but with a considerably reduced parliamentary majority, at around 50 percent.