PUBLIC FORECAST FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
GENERAL SITUATION: A WEAK PRESSURE PATTERN WILL MAINTAIN LIGHT TO GENTLE BREEZES TODAY, WHILE A DRIER AIRMASS OVER THE AREA WILL LIMIT SHOWER ACTIVITY.
ALL AREAS
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS POSSIBLE IN THE AFTERNOON…FAIR TONIGHT
WINDS: LIGHT AND VARIABLE, LESS THAN 10 KNOTS
SEAS: 3 FEET OR LESS
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 90°F 32°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 77°F 25°C
SUNSET: 6:32 PM
NEXT LOW TIDE: 2:07 PM (2.6 FT)
NEXT HIGH TIDE: 8:48 PM (1.0 FT)
EXTENDED FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS: WEAK HIGH PRESSURE WILL GRADUALLY BUILD ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA MAINTAINING FAIR WEATHER CONDITIONS.
FORECAST FOR SATURDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS POSSIBLE…FAIR WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS POSSIBLE AT NIGHT.
WINDS: LIGHT AND VARIABLE, LESS THAN 10 KNOTS
SEAS: 3 FEET OR LESS
SUNRISE: 6:41 AM
SUNSET: 6:31 PM
HIGH TIDE: 2:09 AM (2.0 FT)
LOW TIDE: 8:12 AM (0.7 FT)
FORECAST FOR SUNDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS POSSIBLE…MOSTLY FAIR WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS POSSIBLE AT NIGHT.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 KNOTS OR LESS, FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES
SEAS: 3 FEET OR LESS
SUNRISE: 6:42 AM
SUNSET: 6:30 PM
HIGH TIDE: 3:08 AM (2.0 FT)
LOW TIDE: 9:10 AM (1.0 FT)
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: TROPICAL STORM PHILIPPE IS LOCATED A FEW HUNDRED MILES SOUTH OF BERMUDA. THE CENTER OF PHILIPPE WILL PASS NEAR BERMUDA LATER TODAY. PHILIPPE HAS MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS OF 5O MILES PER HOUR WITH HIGHER GUSTS AND IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST AT 18 MILES PER HOUR.
- EASTERN TROPICAL ATLANTIC: A TROPICAL WAVE IS EXPECTED TO MOVE OFF THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA IN THE NEXT DAY OR SO. A TROPICAL DEPRESSION COULD FORM BY EARLY TO MIDDLE PART OF NEXT WEEK. CHANCE OF FORMATION THROUGH 7 DAYS IS MEDIUM…50 PERCENT.
Premier's Address at Priority Projects Expo
Thank you for being here this evening and for joining us online.
Your enthusiasm and interest are fitting because the Priority Projects will redound to the benefit of everyone with a stake in our country.
The NDU and its’ Purpose
What is the National Delivery Unit (by now you know that it is not where babies are delivered) but it can be compared to a midwife – a mid-wife provides pre-birth care, monitors and supports women during the birthing process, and teaches them how to care for the newborn.
Similarly, teams of persons with specialized and general skills are pooled together to help governments realize outcomes for citizens by focusing exclusively on improving the delivery of a select group of social and economic priorities. In other words, delivery units exist to use their full capacity to address major public challenges. That is the purpose of the NDU.
Now that you know the purpose of the Delivery Unit, I will share some background on how we have arrived here, what priorities will the unit support, how are the priorities selected, how will the delivery unit complement project implementation and what is the current capacity to drive project implementation.
How We Have Arrived Here
Through an internal consultative process, 12 Priority Projects across five sectors were identified because of their potential to boost economic growth and deliver social benefits.
Next, we assessed our ability to execute, and while we have dedicated, capable professionals, there are many constraints within the management of government programs, which made it obvious that dedicated resources need to be assigned exclusively to the projects.
Through appropriate procurement processes, a project team was contracted to establish – the PDU later the NDU. The National Delivery Unit, or NDU was established in July 2022.
More than 60 persons who are part of this process, led by project implementers and ministers, have been collaborating to pioneer change that will lead to a better quality of life for our citizens. They are executing according to the “business-unusual approach” that my government is taking.
We want to raise the bar on transparency, accountability, efficiency, and a unique focus on results. And this Open Day is part of that transparency and accountability focus.
As you browse the priority project booths, learn about what we are doing to improve the lives of us all. Speak with the implementers and Ministers, and give us your honest feedback.
We want to improve implementation rates in TCI and believe that this is possible if we also improve the level of communication and accountability to you. This is business-unusual!
Priorities Supported by the Unit
THE 12 PRIORITY PROJECTS ARE:
1. PP1: South Dock Redevelopment
2. PP2: Domestic Fibre Optic Link
3. PP3: Solid Waste Management
4. PP4: Comprehensive Housing Solutions Delivery 5. PP5: Strengthening the Agriculture Sector
6. PP6: National ID
7. PP7: Scanning of Land Registry Documents
8. PP8: Management and Containment of Informal Settlements
9. PP9: Digital Borders
10. PP10: Digital Transformation of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
11. PP11: National Insurance Shared Services
12. PP12: Judiciary Integrated Infrastructure Programme
The projects are at various stages, with some moving on schedule and others delayed mainly due to manpower restraints.
Evidence of teamwork has been palpable as implementers drive 32 different initiatives within 11 project areas.
It has really been interesting to see new facts unearthed, ideas updated, old views challenged and having strong data on which decisions can be taken
I will share a few insights.
•
Our landfill is in need of overhaul - while we work on a modern Waste Management System. We have known this for a long time, but through the surveillance and risk assessments done, we have accelerated safety measures to reduce fires and have identified suitable locations for the Green Waste and Household Waste sites.
•
With the Agriculture project, a National Agriculture Development and Food Security Plan,as well as a National Agriculture Incentive Programme have been designed. You will hear more about this from Minister Connolly.
•
On the matter of informal settlements: we have gained a bird’s eye view of the scale of the issues arising from the studies and updated mapping that have been completed. The National Security Secretariat has been leading this effort and Justice Simons has been appointed as project lead to deal with this problem. He will speak to this issue.
•
While there are many other references that can be made to progress with these projects, I will leave them up to my ministerial colleagues listed to speak on the program.
Selection of Priorities
The capabilities of a country’s infrastructure often determine the reach and effectiveness of its development agenda, and so it has been quite clear for some time that we must tackle the big, complicated issues head-on.
By learning from the past and observing the events of our present times, we have redoubled our efforts to define the future of Turks and Caicos by confronting issues in our economy, services, and infrastructure that have delayed our development for decades.
Complementing Project Implementation
The delivery unit resides outside the government’s line-management hierarchy. This independence allows the unit to be a “critical friend” that delivers difficult messages but also sustains trust and credibility with the various functional actors within the government. The NDU is not a project management office. It is not responsible for the construction of infrastructure or the implementation of services. It focuses exclusively on achieving impact and improving outcomes. It exists to challenge performance and ask difficult questions, taking any excuses off the table. It acknowledges competing priorities and unexpected situations and consistently pushes for faster progress.
Ministries and Departments remain in charge of projects falling under their remit. In that regard, the NDU is not a replacement for the Public Sector Investment Program. Instead, it’s role is to interface with the program and senior leadership at the strategy level.Capacity to Drive Implementation
The unit is capacity-challenged and will need to find and train, in some cases, permanent talent within the next 8-12 months, since the contractor ends in August 2024. Most of the core competencies required to run the unit has been difficult to recruit so far - including problem-solving, numerical, data analysis, project management and relationship management as examples.
Building a cadre of people who are able to work well together, execute complex programmes and really drive the development of our country is one of the outcomes of this process that I am especially looking forward to. In that regard, I invite any person in the audience who may wish to find out what will be required, please speak to the consultants or my Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Shonia Been.
RTC UPDATE ON TS PHILIPPE
…THE CENTER OF PHILIPPE IS PASSING JUST NORTHEAST OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS…
AT 11:00 AM AST, THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM PHILIPPE WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 18.9° NORTH AND LONGITUDE 63.9° WEST OR
ABOUT 70 MILES NORTHWEST OF ANGUILLA OR ABOUT 80 MILES EAST NORTHEAST OF ST. THOMAS.
PHILIPPE IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST AT 10 MILES PER HOUR.
ON THE FORECAST TRACK, THE CENTER OF PHILIPPE IS EXPECTED TO PASS JUST NORTH OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS TODAY AND THEN MOVE
AWAY FROM THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS BEGINNING TONIGHT.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 45 MILES PER HOUR WITH HIGHER GUSTS. LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
THE NEXT NEWS ITEM WILL BE ISSUED AT 6:00 PM
UK Overseas Minister to visit Turks and Caicos Islands
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister for the Overseas Territories in the United Kingdom, David Rutley is scheduled to visit this British Overseas territory on Sunday.
This will be Rutley’s first visit to an overseas territory.
In a joint statement, the premier and governor said Rutley’s visit will focus on national security, society, and investment.
“He will see for himself the acute pressures facing the Turks and Caicos Islands from irregular migration and violent crime. Visits include the marine branch, the Detention Centre, border security leads, the Tactical Unit, and the Regiment. He will meet with the National Security Council and hear briefings from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and the Irregular Settlement Unit. He will discuss the growing collaboration between our police and Regiment with our US and Canadian partners,” the leaders said.
“While in the nation’s capital Grand Turk, he will learn about the ambitious rehabilitation efforts at His Majesty’s Prison and tour recent infrastructure upgrades. He will visit the first designated mental health facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Centre of Hope to understand the opportunities and challenges facing mental health.”
During the four-day trip, Rutley will also attend receptions with elected and appointed representatives, justice, community, and business leads.
JOINT STATEMENT FROM HER EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR AND THE HONOURABLE PREMIER CONCERNING YESTERDAY’S INCIDENT IN GRAND TURK
The Governors & Premiers Office today released a joint statement following a tragic murder that occurred on Youth Day 2023.
For most of us here in the Turks and Caicos Islands the past week has been an inspiring week of events celebrating the talents and achievements of our youth. With shock and sadness, however, we have learned that yesterday’s festivities have been one of loss and tragedy. We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends who have unexpectedly lost a loved one.
Addressing these matters as a community must be our priority.
We are gravely concerned by and strongly condemn the merciless taking of life. Reckless actions can lead to irreversible consequences. We remain committed to ensuring every action is taken towards crime abatement, supported by the necessary resources. We ask that all communities and groups continue to work with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force to tackle such matters. We must do all that we can to prevent needless tragedy in the future.
May God bless you, your loved ones, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Police Investigates Grand Turk Murder
Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force this evening (September 30th) visited the relatives of 21-year-old SEVANO WILSON JR.
Mr. Wilson, of South School Lane, Grand Turk, was fatally wounded yesterday (September 29th) evening during a celebratory event at Governor’s Beach, Grand Turk.
Preliminary police reports state, there was an altercation at the Beach resulting in Mr. Wilson being stabbed. He was transported to the Cockburn Town Medical Centre where he died while undergoing medical treatment.
Superintendent (Divisions and Community Policing) Dwight Gardiner, Superintendent (Head of Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection) Dean Holden, along with Pastor Temard Butterfield expressed condolences to family members during the visit.
Superintendent Gardiner in denouncing the act of violence said: “I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family of the victim Sevano Wilson Jr. My prayers go out to you in this difficult time.
“This is yet another senseless act of violence in Grand Turk involving our young people, which has resulted in this unspeakable tragedy. We need to refer to the adage "It takes a village to raise a child". The RT&CIPF will continue engaging the community to end these acts of senselessness.
“The RT&CIPF and every segment of our community, including our religious, private, public, and civic members must work together to protect and guide our young people along the right path.
“ The RT&CIPF will continue working to solve the murder of Mr. Wilson and bring the perpetrator (s) responsible to justice.
“I am imploring members of our community impacted by this tragedy, to desist from taking the law into your hands by seeking retribution. Allow our investigating officers to do their jobs. The RT&CIPF will continue intensifying our efforts to increase visibility in the communities of Grand Turk”.
The RT&CIPF is appealing to anyone with any footage of the disorder at the Governor’s Beach parking lot, to immediately contact 911, the closest police station, the RTCIPF Serious Crime Unit at 232-8752, or call TCI Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 and give any information regarding this murder or any illegal activity.
Additionally, persons are encouraged to contact the Miami-Dade & Florida Keys Crime Stoppers at 1-305-471-8477 and give any information anonymously.
Statement of the Unfortunate Incident at Grand Turk Youth Day Celebrations: By Hon. Rachel Taylor’
On behalf of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services and especially the Department of Youth, I would like to join Her Excellency the Governor, the Hon. Premier and other members of Government in extending my very heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and community at large, at the unfortunate passing of one of our nation’s youth last evening, during the National Youth Day Celebrations on Grand Turk.
The death of this young man has left my Ministry, and members of the youth day planning committees and I am completely shaken with shock and sadness.
Our hearts are mired in grief for the bereaved families this morning. Many families have suffered loss of some kind with this incident. The lives of many young people have been impacted; those who may have witnessed the incident and now are traumatized, those who may have participated and now must face the consequences of their actions, and those families who are wondering with concern, in the wake of this tragic event, about the future of our young people.
My dear Turks and Caicos Islanders, let us not get weary in praying for our young men and women, and in doing all we can to shape a positive path for them, giving guidance and counsel whenever and wherever we can.
I again express my deepest condolences at the death of one of our young men. I join with our nation in praying that the love, support and strength of our Lord and Savior, surround those who are left to mourn his passing.
Hon. Rachel Taylor
Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services
CARICOM leaders to discuss climate change issues in Grenada
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders are to meet in Grenada on Thursday for a two-day meeting on climate change a few weeks before regional countries participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) that gets underway in Dubai in late November.
The Grenada government announcing the two-day meeting in St. George’s this week gave no indication as to what issues are likely to dominate the deliberations, but Caribbean leaders, who have so far addressed the ongoing 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, have warned about the success of COP 28, should developed countries fail to live up to prior commitments.
In his address to the UNGA, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Synthesis Report (2023) confirmed that global emissions are at their highest levels in human history and only continue to rise.
Source-CMC
…PHILLIPE CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE …
Synopsis: At 11 AM AST, the center of Tropical Storm Phillipe was located near latitude 17.3 North, longitude 50.3 West, or about 1387 miles east-southeast of Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands. Philippe is moving toward the west near 14 mph. A westward to west-northwestward motion is expected during the next few days. Phillipe continues to struggle under strong shear which is not expected to let up over the next several days. This could potentially lead to a weaker system drifting westward towards the vicinity of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Potential Impacts: Too early to know the level impacts Phillipe might have on the Turks and Caicos Islands as this is dependent on its track and intensity.
The Turks and Caicos Islands National Weather Service will continue to closely monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Phillipe. Stay tuned to updates coming out of the National Weather Service, twitter.com/tcinws and facebook.com/tcinws. Also, stay tuned to DDME social media platforms and the DDME Alert App for updates.
Haitian banker denies Canadian allegation of involvement in gang violence
The vice president of Haiti’s largest bank, UNIBANK, has denied involvement in any criminal or gang activity in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country after Canada imposed sanctions on him and two other prominent business executives.
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mélanie Joly, announced the sanctions on Carl Braun, as well as Marc Antoine Acra, the former adviser to former prime minister Laurent Lamothe, and Jean-Marie Vorbe, the chief executive officer of Sogener, a company in the energy sector.
Canada said it has reason to believe the three individuals are “fuelling the violence and instability in Haiti through corruption and other criminal acts and by enabling the illegal activities of armed gangs that terrorize the population and threaten peace and security in Haiti”.
But in a statement, Braun said he has never during his 69 years of age including 47 years of professional career, participated “neither as a briber, even less as a corrupt, in any business, any transaction, any contract with the Haitian State or with national or international private individuals and companies, for which I would have given or received a payment, a commission, a prebend or others, contrary to the law and ethics”
He said he has never committed criminal acts and has no relationship, “direct or indirect, financial, political or otherwise, with the bandits and armed gangs who terrorize the Haitian population.
“On the contrary, my family, my friends, my employees, my clients, and my businesses have suffered and continue to suffer from the widespread insecurity that is rife in Haiti.”
Braun said that he intends to take and will take “all measures to defend my dignity.
“I do not underestimate the length of the road, nor the personal, family, and financial costs that will be associated with it, but I will not let my reputation as a man of honesty and integrity be sullied without defending myself.
“My honor demands it,” he said, adding that he was also seeking to receive from the Canadian authorities the file containing the “concrete and verifiable acts” that have been levied against him.
Since November 2022, Canada has imposed sanctions against more than 20 Haitian citizens, whom it describes as the country’s “political and economic elite”, for their role in supporting criminal activities by armed gangs.
Source- CMC