Civil Recoveries of Emerald Cay by TCIG
On 3 December, the Turks & Caicos Islands Government issued civil proceedings against Emerald Cay Limited, Worldwide Commercial Properties Limited, Timothy Blixseth and Andrew Hawes arising out of the substantial under payment of stamp duty owed on the acquisition of land parcel number
60400/219 known as Emerald Cay in Chalk Sound, Providenciales. Those proceedings have now been served.
TCIG's claim against the Defendants alleges that by a series of agreements of no or little practical or commercial value they concealed the true value of the consideration paid for the Land in August 2006 leading to an underpayment of stamp duty owed under the Stamp Duty Ordinance.
TCIG alleges that the true consideration paid was $28 million whilst it was recorded on the Land Transfer Certificate as just $10 million and that the Defendants conspired together to enter into a scheme to avoid payment of stamp duty of $2,730,000 properly due, instead paying just $975,000.
TCIG is seeking a declaration that adequate stamp duty was not paid and that the Defendants are liable for the outstanding stamp duty of
$1,755,000, as well as a penalty of $7,020,000 under section 8(c) of the Stamp Duty Ordinance, as well as damages, interest and costs.
These are the latest set of proceedings issued by the Civil Recovery team since they began their work at the end of 2009, and the first set of
proceedings in connection with the avoidance of stamp duty. The Civil Recovery team is now involved in a substantial number of active recoveries
and further sets of proceedings are expected to be brought.
A copy of the Writ, was sent to RTC News for viewing
Early Christmas Salaries & Loans says PS Finance
Christmas Pay and Loan Scheme Agreed For Public Servants With Christmas approaching, the Ministry of Finance has agreed to pay more
than 2,400 public sector employees and pensioners a week early, to help them plan for the festive season.
The Ministry of Finance has also reached a deal with the banks to allow public sector workers to draw a loan against future salaries, to top up
their Christmas pay packet. Despite the hard economic times, it was felt that a cash boost would help hard working public servants to plan their finances during what can be an expensive time of year.
All TCI Civil Servants will be eligible to benefit: 1,575 salaried staff and 645 waged staff. Permanent Secretary for Finance, Delton Jones, said:
I'm happy to say we will be able to pay the Christmas salaries and wages early for the public sector this year. The banks have also said that they
will allow public servants to draw against their future salaries. I hope that, in the Christmas spirit, it will allow people to plan for and enjoy
this special time of year.
People should remember, however, that the Christmas loan payments will all be taken from future pay packet, and so should budget accordingly.
Officers foiled an attempt of Contraband thrown over Her Majesty Prison
Officers foiled an attempt of Contraband thrown over Her Majesty Prison walls from reaching the hands of Prisoners.
RTC News has gotten it on good authority that contraband is making its way inside the walls of Her Majesty's Prison.
A reliable source told RTC News that the illegal stuff that was thrown over the prison walls two mornings ago included marijuana, cigarettes and
a bottle of Hennessey rum.
RTC News contacted Prison Superintendant Ian Sargeant who has issued this official response by way of the Government's Press Office.
I can report that in the Morning of Saturday 11th December, Officers foiled an attempt to throw a black backpack was thrown over the fence at
the South East corner of the Prison. Staff witnessed a person in the bushes throwing the item over. Prison Officers reached the bag and so
foiled an attempt at the contents getting in the possession of prisoners.
A description of the person and the bag with suspected marijuana were handed over to the Police.
The suggestion was made to host of Expressions Mr. Robert Hall that the bushes surrounding the Prison should be cleared to about 20-30 feet so as
to deter persons from throwing such contraband over the walls of the Prison or making suspicious acts that more visible to Prison Officers.
Mr. Sargeant noted that with regard to the bushes surrounding the Prison, this is cleared periodically and the bush is also kept low through grazing
by the prison goats. However he said the Prison can only clear the bush on its own property.
EU sending Haiti 10 million Euro
The European Union is preparing a second humanitarian funding package of Euro 10 million (US$13.3 million) to fight the cholera epidemic in Haiti, a senior European official said earlier today.
But the EU is insisting that that "unimpeded access to all those in need and respect for basic humanitarian principles is an absolute prerequisite for more funds being made available”.
European humanitarian aid commissioner Kristalina Georgieva said the anti-cholera efforts undertaken before of the post-electoral riots have reduced the daily rate of cholera deaths from 50 on November 23 to 22 on December.
"We are working to continue with this positive trend, but to be successful, humanitarian workers and victims of cholera need peace. Insecurity is killing more people by preventing treatment than by violence in the streets," she said.
"If turmoil persists, the cholera epidemic can go out of control. It is essential to allow patients to be treated, clean water to be provided and good sanitation to be ensured. If we fail to do so, the consequences could be devastating," Georgieva said.
The initial Euro 12 million (US$15.9 million) in funding made available by the EU had been exhausted and the second Euro 10 million package was now being put together, the EU said in a statement.
The cholera epidemic has been ravaging the country in waves for nearly two months, affecting more than 93, 000 people and killing more than 2,100.
"These figures are likely to rise dramatically the longer the current unrest goes on. The situation is particularly worrying in areas where the cholera attack and lethality rates are currently very high," the EC said.
Bumble Bee recalled in the TCI
The United States Department of Agriculture has announced a recall of canned Chicken Salad Products that may contain foreign materials.
Based on this information the Turks and Caicos Environmental Health Department is recommending that consumers avoid purchasing and eating the following canned chicken salad products until further information is available regarding the safety of the products;
- 8.2-ounce packages of "BUMBLE BEE LUNCH ON THE RUN CHICKEN SALAD COMPLETE LUNCH KIT." The package contains a 2.9-ounce can of Bumble Bee Chicken Salad along with crackers, mixed fruit, a cookie and a spoon. The package label indicates the product is "Mixed and Ready to Eat." The product package indicates a "Best-by" date of 07/11.
- 3.5-ounce packages of "BUMBLE BEE CHICKEN SALAD WITH CRACKERS." The package contains a 2.9-can of Bumble Bee Chicken Salad and crackers. The package label indicates the product is "Ready to Eat." The product package indicates a "Best-by" date of 01/12 or 02/12.
The cans of chicken salad bear the establishment number "P-169" inside the USDA mark of inspection and the lot code "0225XXQBC" printed on the package.
The Environmental Health Department would also like to notify food distributors throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands that with immediate effect, none of the products implicated in the recall should be dispensed for sale or be used in any way for human consumption.
RTC News understands that to date, there has been no case of illness linked to the implicated food in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Ministry of Health is however asking anyone who has consumed canned Chicken Salad products and is suffering from any signs or symptoms of an illness that may be related to the consumption of the recalled products, to report to the Turks and Caicos Medical Department or anyone any medical officer acting on behalf of the Turks and Caicos Government.
Clement Howell takes 2010 Provo High Basketball tournament
PROVO HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
2010 Basketball Championship
Saturday 11th December, 2010
Game 10 Championship Game
Marjorie Basden Vs Clement Howell
Clement Howell won 73 to 71
Top Scorers for Clement Howell
Melvin Else 13 Points, 5 Steal, 7 Assist, 1Block
Carlon Bassett 33 Points, 10 Steal, 3 Assist, 1 Block, 5 Rebounds
Andy Florvill 14 Point, 4 Rebounds, 3 Assist, 1 Block
Shyon Parker 5 Points, 1 Rebounds
Reo Stubbs 6 Points, 4 Rebounds, 1 Assist
Top scores for Marjorie Basden
Kivarno Handfield 20 Points, 8 Rebounds, 2 Blocks, 2 Steals
Javardo Smith 23 Points, 1 Rebound, 1 Steal
Geoquile Penn 9 Points, 7 Rebounds, 5 Steal,
Corelle Cox 2 Points, 3 Rebounds, 2 steals, 1 Assist
Jason Nelson 7 Rebounds, 9 Points
Most Rebounds
#1 Marvin Cox – New Age with 29 Rebounds
Most Steals
#4 Carlon Basstee – Clement Howell with 15 steals
Most Assist
#11 Melvin Elsie – Clement Howell with 10 Assist
Most Blocks
#4 Emileo Ariza – Raymond Gardiner with 6 Blocks
MVP
#4 Carlon Basstee – Clement Howell with 33 Points, 10 Steal, 3 Assist, 1 Block, 5 Rebounds
3rd Place – Raymond Gardiner High
2nd Place – Marjorie Basden High
2010 Winners - Clement Howell High
Jamaican-made cars exported to Turks and Caicos
Three motor cars made by Excel Motors Island Cruisers in Jamaica were escorted to the Montego Bay Cruise Ship Terminal ahead of the official export ceremony on Friday, for export to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Karl Samuda, has praised Patrick Marzouca, the chief executive officer (CEO) of local firm Excel Motors Island Cruisers, for his firm's success in manufacturing and exporting motorcars to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Speaking at the export ceremony at the Montego Bay Cruise Ship Terminal on Friday, Samuda congratulated Marzouca and endorsed his resilience and determination, which made the project a success.
"The idea of a car manufacturing project was not a pipe-dream, but a reality and now to see that he has persevered against all the odds; with all these trials and tribulations, he has been able to obtain an order for the production of these vehicles. I want to commend you for your effort, Patrick, and I want to congratulate you for your sense of resilience and your determination to succeed," Samuda said.
He indicated that the government was totally committed to the manufacturing sector, recognizing that only through expansion of productive activity that the country is going to get out of its economic difficulties.
"Here before us today is an example of someone that has not only had the tenacity and the stick-to-itiveness to pursue against the odds and the difficulty of finding the capital necessary to keep the entire business running, but one who has triumphed," Samuda said.
He added that, having driven one of the vehicles, it appeared that the integrity of the equipment is without doubt. He, however, encouraged Marzouca to reconsider the branding of the product, and consider using the Jamaica brand which, he said, was critical for a new product.
"I believe that Jamaica has the kind of name and reputation that will assist the product and drive its quality," Samuda advised.
He assured Marzouca that funding to move his business to a higher level was available through the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) and the ExIm Bank, and made a commitment to assist him to increase profitability.
A former Minister of Development, Dr Paul Robertson, in congratulating Marzouca, said that the vehicles demonstrated 'some real Jamaican engineering', and great export potential and prospects for developing and expanding a niche product for Jamaica.
Excel Motors Limited, the only car manufacturing company in Jamaica, was officially launched in 2003, with vehicles boasting fiberglass chassis and 1.5 litre Japanese-made engines.