PREMIER SAYS GOVERNOR’S COMMENTS ON RECONSTRUCTION OPENED DOOR FOR MISCHIEF
I note the statements attributed to the Governor and made during his Breakfast Press Briefing with Media Houses. I also note the firestorm that has resulted following a captioned release stating that “Perception corrected; UK not micro-managing TCI money and spending says Governor.” I further note the eagerness for supporters opposite to accuse my Government of lying and their willingness to not test these statements for completeness but to accept them hook line and sinker. There is now as a result of these comments made by the Governor, a new false perception adversely impacting my Government in favour of the UK. The Governor’s comments have opened the door for mischief that I am duty bound to address.
The new false perception is that we as a Government is able to spend our reserves and run a deficit Budget without UK scrutiny/approvals. Though not stated by the Governor, I have seen these statements made and am obligated to correct these erroneous perceptions that has now been created out of an effort to correct the British image within our Islands.
The Governor has not lied to the people of this country and neither has the Government led by me. But what has happened as we know it to always be is that he has told the side of those whom he represents: He is the Queen’s Representative within our Islands. It is for my Government to remind us of our side of the story; to remind us as a people of several truths that have been stated by me but conveniently dismissed by those who know the truth and unfortunately misconstrued it or manipulated it for those who do not know or understand the process:
We already knew this to be the UK’s Position. This is nothing new. It is important that I make this clear that the Governor has communicated what has already been evidenced and what we ought to know as a people would be the UK’s stance as it relates to our country’s “healthy” savings when other OTs such as Anguilla and British Virgin Islands will require more British support. It is in the British’s best interest to not have to worry about the TCI or to gift grants. The facts are the facts and can not change despite people’s accounts: The Supplementary sent to the UK for approval in December (and rumored by an elected member opposite to be rejected) was approved and it is evidence of the UK’s position now being clearly stated by the Governor - It was a deficit Budget drawing down on our “healthy” reserves.
My Government has through Town Halls and Interviews before this Supplementary told the people of this country that we were seeking to run a deficit Budget and to use savings to meet immediate needs and explained the process under the Law. The Supplementary approved by the UK in February took over a month to secure. This was necessary because the Constitution does not allow TCIG to run a deficit budget without its approval. The Supplementary which was debated by the House was a reduction Supplementary as we could not spend as usual due to our fallen revenues. The House of Assembly had to approve this.
Following the Storms, the Projects agreed in March 2017 had shifted in priority and headlining for this revised priority was school repairs and NHIB support. The UK’s approval was sought and received and no shifting in spending could take place without the House of Assembly’s approval. Therefore the reprioritized Capital Program was a part of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill and was approved early February. My Government had to receive two levels of approval under Law which we sought and received.
The Supplementary was fiercely debated and saw conflicting comments from the Party opposite where the Leader of the Opposition himself said that the timing was too late in the financial year and whilst we agreed that it was late, we saw the need to get started early on School Projects in particular recognising that we would have to be in a position to note them, take them to contract stage before the end of the year (Financial year – March 31st), so that the works can begin ahead of our already announced late Budget passage. The Leader of the Opposition despite saying this as it relates to time, he together with other members of his side kept asking for more Projects to be included. As explained and as known by them, the Bill could only be brought when approval was received from the UK and that as it was the end of the year, much more could not be achieved under the Procurement Process which required 6 weeks for Invitation to Tenders (ITT) and following approvals for Business cases. And even after Bids were received there was an evaluation stage that had to be undertaken. The Supplementary provided for $8m in School repairs which were covered by the CRIF but also $12m for National Health Insurance and other critical projects that we could not afford to defer for another year. These priorities were set out even ahead of the Debate in response to the Opposition elected member celebrating as it were the UK’s supposed rejection of the Supplementary request and included “… critical resources for the Police, funding for NHIP, repairs to Schools which can double as Shelters, funding to support the introduction of online payment to better secure payment of government revenues and enhance public service, funding to submit the critical work of the National Physical Development Plan, additional resources to support border control and planning enforcement activities among other critical projects and matters…” [Excerpt from Release issued in January 2018] Ahead of the submission to the UK, the process to its preparation was challenged at many points most notably the Governor’s clear position to have accounting officers determine whether the conclusions of a Capital Board Meeting called by me as Minister of Finance was acceptable to them. The Ministry of Finance Team did its best to move as quickly as it could and of course with the information available to them at the time. As anyone listening to the Debate would have heard me say that the financial outlook was different and that there was no need at the time to draw down on reserves to fund reprioritized projects and to fund NHIB by a further $12m.
Therefore we are fully aware that the UK has and would support our running a deficit budget and spending our reserves. Additionally the UK has stated over and over its support of our borrowing and have made several inquiries in this regard.
What I must say as a firm truth is that we are convinced that we would have to rely on our savings and loans to at the very least speed up reconstruction and possibly fund our own reconstruction. We have already retained CARICAID to prepare our Recovery Plan and hope to receive the document by next month. This Plan will identify the areas for funding in the medium to long term. I state clearly however that Schools and critical Government buildings at $10m and $16m respectively, remain priority for Government.
We understand and are not ignoring the continued call for TCIG to assist the over 4000 homeowners that need repairs or the approximate 400 who lost their homes altogether and who had no insurance coverage. What we find disingenuous of the call to use monies earmarked to repair Schools to provide less than what is necessary to those found in this category. We must also remember that the assistance received following Hurricane Ike came 7 years later through EU Funding. We also recall the help received from the UK then whilst CRIF monies had to be used to help meet TCIG’s monthly obligations. Whilst we are in a much better position, we are taking the careful approach to borrow against our reserves as we are not certain of the UK’s assistance in any other way than in the provision of the guarantee, the just over $1m dollars for Prison works and Radar repairs, upgrading and training: its constitutional areas of responsibility relating to national security. This may be made clearer following the submission of our Recovery Plan but not yet stated.
Now I address further truths that the Governor has not included in his comments but state clearly that it is not for him to, but for my Government who is duty bound to set out the full picture in my Government’s defense. I am duty bound to set out certain facts already shared but others now necessary to share given the firestorm of untruths and false perceptions created following his comments.
- I have already addressed that the fact that running a deficit budget and spending savings requires the UK’s approval first and then the House of Assembly’s and as such the new perception is incorrect.
- What the Governor has not said is that the UK has not engaged in micromanaging at its highest level but the Governor is involved in every process here and controls ( a meaning of micromanaging) through Cabinet all decisions, with the need for consensus (complete agreement of 7 elected members and the 3 unelected members) for anything to move forward. I must inform our people though that the Cabinet Minutes for the first time Noted the FSPS (submitted to and requiring UK’s approval ahead of the Budget) when historically Cabinet Minutes would show approval. This demonstrated for us a willingness to move the process forward on the part of elected and unelected members of Cabinet. I must however state though that for the first time I am advised, the UK had made or stated certain specific calls on the recurrent Budget for areas of its particular obligation and interests. I am pleased to report however that the FSPS has received conditional approval pending the submission of the Capital Program and the Recovery Plan.
- While the Governor has said that reserves took a long time to build and that they are necessary to borrow, he neglected to say why my Government wishes to retain the level of reserves at at least 90 days cash levels. Last year the Budget for the first time since the new stringent financial regulations did not have to be approved by the UK as in previous years. Any reserves/savings below the agreed cash level would see the UK having to approve the FSPS and the detailed Budget.
- What the Governor has not said is that there has been a call by his Office as to areas he wish to have funded and have already stated that the Budget can be difficult to agree even if our cash levels remain as is and there remains no need to submit the detailed Budget to the UK for scrutiny and approvals. He is still very much in the process and can as with any decision of Cabinet hinder or halt any process until he himself in full agreement.
- What the Governor has not said is that on three separate occasions: twice to London and more recently directly to him, I have had the need to raise the high and continuing annual costs of $9.1m to cover SIPT costs with $5m for legal aid and $4m for SIPT’s Team. TCIG would be able to do much more if we had access to this near $10m annually and I have suggested to the UK that should the UK assume these responsibilities and if done, the TCIG would be able to address areas of its interests, the Governors interests and critical areas also identified by the locally elected government.
Whilst the UK is prepared to have us spend more than we make and to spend our “healthy” savings, we must look at our financial position against this background:
Reserves are important for rating; important for loans; 90 days cash levels allows us to not have to get our detailed Budget approved or scrutinized by UK and from history we will perhaps have to fund the majority if not all of the recovery plan so we must be prudent until we have our Plan and know what the UK and others are prepared to do. The proposed Budget for 2018/19 is addressing the short term recovery efforts – repairs to Schools and Government Buildings while addressing the social issues, primary health care and national security issues. I welcome the UK’s Position but fiscal prudence does not allow such a simple approach to be taken.
Whilst there will always be a mistrust between the UK and TCI, the half report relayed and no attempt to further clarify only seeks to erode trust in such a critical partnership. But what I find more amusing than the flippant perception given by not painting the entire picture of the need for approvals at all levels is the fact that too many of our people of the TCI continue to believe reports only when it suits them. I encourage us again to learn about the workings of our country
NIB takes clients to Providenciales Magistrate's Court
The National Insurance Board on Monday 16th April 2018 heard the following matters before His Honor the Resident Magistrate Mr. Hartmin in Court #3.
1) Ja’Lisa Dean – The defendant who was charged for failing to pay the NIB contributions and additional charges as an employer. The NIB withdrew all complaint as payment was made in full that was owed to the board.
2) Luxury Beauty Salon/Cindy Perdomo Languasco – the Matter was call the defendant who is charged for failing to pay the NIB contributions and additional charges as a self-employed person, was not present due to lack of service. Matter adjourned for the 23rd April 2018 at 9:00am. The defendant to be served with summons.
3) Caribbean Energy Distributors/Brian Lightbourne – the defendant was not present, The NIB seek to enforce a beach warrant that was prior issued for the defendant. The matter was adjourned for the 23rd April 2018 at 9:00am.
4) Bat Security Ltd – The defendant was not present due to lack of service. The matter was adjourned for the 1st May 2018 at 9:00am.
5) AI Services Ltd/ McAllister Hanchell – The Defendant in this matter did not appear, the matter was stand down for 17th April 2018 at 1:30pm for clarity why the defendant did not appear in court as commanded.
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL NEEDS UNIT & EDUCATION OFFICER FOR SPECIAL NEEDS ORGANIZES SPECIAL JOINT PTA FOR GRAND TURK PRIMARY SCHOOLS
The partnership and inter-departmental collaboration in the TCI Public Service is essential to promoting cohesiveness and continued progress in initiatives undertaken by TCI public offices.
One of the most important collaboration between departments in government that is needed to provide an essential service is the cooperation between the Special Needs Unit and the Department of Education in regards to Individuals with Special Needs .
In a previous press release, the Ministry of Health welcomed to the TCI, a clinical team from 1 World Foundation; an international non-profit charitable corporation comprised of volunteers from New York and Ontario. The Mission of 1 World Foundation is to assist government, private agencies, and persons with special needs through the provision of clinical, special education, administrative and training services. Additionally the team is scheduled to be in Grand Turk April 18th -20th 2018.
To this end, the Director of the Special Needs Unit, Ms. Betty-Ann Been and the Education Officer for Special Needs, Mr. Jasmin S. Walkin have organized a special joint PTA between Ona Glinton and Eliza Simmons Primary Schools for Wednesday April 18 at 3:30pm to be held at the HJ Robinson High School. This joint PTA is being held to facilitate a presentation by Dr. Jean and George Ryan on the topic "Developmental Delays in Children". The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education are encouraging all parents, teachers and stakeholders to attend this meeting as the information being shared is critical to identify, diagnosing and intervening in the developmental delays in children.
Both ministries understand the importance of early diagnosis and intervention as it will have a significant impact on how government and its respective departments can provide essential services to Individuals with Special Needs. Hence, parents and teachers being informed about this topic is very important as we continue to make progress in the development of Special Education in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
PUBLIC FORECAST TODAY MONDAY 16TH APRIL 2018
GENERAL SITUATION: PRE-FRONTAL WEATHER ASSOCIATED WITH A COLD FRONT MOVING INTO THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS WILL AFFECT THE ISLANDS TODAY.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: MARINERS AND BEACHGOERS SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXERCISE CAUTION DUE TO THE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS AT BEACHES MAINLY ALONG EASTERN SHORELINES... ADDITIONALLY, WATERSPOUTS ARE POSSIBLE IN SOME AREAS ALONG THE FRONT...WINDS MAY GUST TO MORE THAN 25 KNOTS AND VISIBILITY REDUCED TO LESS THAN 3 NAUTICAL MILES DURING HEAVY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY, WARM AND BREEZY WITH FEW PASSING SHOWERS.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT CAUTION IS IN EFFECT
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET OR LESS OVER THE OCEAN
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE: 82°F 28°C
OVERNITE LOW TEMPERATURE: 70°F 21°C
SUNRISE: 06:47AM MOONRISE: 07:22 AM LOW TIDE: 01:46 AM
SUNSET: 07:31 PM MOONSET: 08:19 PM HIGH TIDE: 07:45 AM
LOW TIDE: 01:56 PM
HIGH TIDE: 08:09 PM
Pound's strong run continues
The pound sterling has continued its recent strong run against the dollar pushing firmly above $1.43.
It is the seventh session in a row that the pound has made gains against the US currency.
The strong run means that, among the G10 group of rich nations, the UK has the best-performing currency this year.
Traders say the prospect of higher UK interest rates has made the pound more attractive while the dollar has been hit by fears of trade disputes.
The pound started the week with a gain of almost a cent to $1.4323, while against the euro it was 0.2% higher at €1.1569.
Following the vote to leave the European Union in June 2016 the pound sank, hitting $1.2068 in January of last year.
Since then it has made a comeback.
A currency strategist at Rabobank, said the recent strong run can be dated back to September 2017 when it became clear the Bank of England was ready to raise interest rates.
In November, the Bank increased the cost of borrowing for the first time in a decade - from 0.25% to 0.5%.
And in February the pound's momentum was maintained when the Bank hinted at an accelerated pace of interest rate increases.
Most analysts expect it to raise interest rates again in May.
According to Ms Jane Foley, any indication about what happens to interest rates after that is the key to the pound's next move.
Some clues may come from some important economic data this week.
On Tuesday the latest UK unemployment and wage data is released and Wednesday brings the latest inflation figures.
Source-BBC
Ex-Dolphins cheerleader alleges religious and gender discrimination
A former Miami Dolphins cheerleader has filed a complaint alleging religious and gender discrimination by the cheerleading team and the National Football League.
Kristan Ware, a Dolphins cheerleader for three seasons beginning in 2014, claims she was held to "different standards than the male football players" regarding her outward expression of her Christian faith.
Ware said she felt compelled to quit a couple of weeks prior to the end of her contract in spring 2017 and did not try out for the another annual contract because she felt "she was just not accepted on the team if she was a Christian," according to the complaint filed this week with the Florida State Labor Board.
Ware says in the complaint that although she was co-captain of the cheerleading team and a fan favorite she suffered harassment from some representatives of the squad because of her social media postings about her faith andafter it became known that she was a virgin and planned to remain so until marriage.
Ware contends problems began after she posted a photo of her April 10, 2016, baptism on her public Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages.
"I got sat down in an interview with my director and my coaches and they brought up my virginity, which was kind of shocking to me," Ware told ABC News.
Ware said she had not publicized her decision to wait to have sex until marriage but that the topic had come up months earlier, in fall 2015, during a conversation with fellow Dolphins cheerleaders in front of other staff.
The Dolphins responded to Ware's complaint in a statement to ABC News on Friday: “We are seriously committed to providing a positive work environment for everyone associated with the organization. We hold every member of our organization to the same standards and do not discriminate as it relates to gender, race and religious beliefs.”
Source-ABC
Nicki Minaj drops selfie-inspired "Chun-Li" music video
Nicki Minaj's music video for one of her latest singles titled "Chun-Li" is certainly a departure from her other clips.
The music video or, rather, selfie video, features the rapper showing off her voluptuous bod in a skin-tight leather outfit while laying on a couch. In several other scenes, Nicki's also seen walking to the beat of her own hot new track while rocking a flesh-colored bodysuit, but that's about it: It's just Nicki rapping to her fans.
Nicki's other new single, "Barbie Tingz," doesn't have an official music video...yet. However, you can check out her lyric video for the track. A teaser for the "Barbie Tingz" music video is also out now, but a release date for it has yet to be announced.
"Barbie Tingz" and Chun-Li" are reportedly previewing Nicki Minaj's highly-anticipated fourth studio album. Her previous disc, The Pinkprint, came out in 2014.
Trump's personal lawyer due in New York court
Donald Trump's personal lawyer is due in court in an extraordinary showdown with US prosecutors Monday over documents seized in an FBI raid on his home, with a porn star also expected to attend.
Michael Cohen has been under criminal investigation for months over his business dealings, and FBI agents last week raided his home, hotel room and office, seizing a safety deposit box and two cellphones.
The US president reacted furiously, blasting the raid as a "witch hunt" and "an attack on our country," effectively opposing his own Justice Department and siding with his 51-year-old personal lawyer.
Cohen's legal team are requesting a temporary restraining order from a US federal judge in Manhattan that would prevent prosecutors from reviewing at least some of the material.
Some of the documents reportedly relate to payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, who claims a one-night stand with Trump a decade ago, and ex Playboy model Karen McDougal who also claims an affair.
US federal Judge Kimba Wood has ordered Cohen to attend the hearing, scheduled for 2:00 pm (1800 GMT), in what will pit a powerful US attorney's office against lawyers for Cohen and the president.
A lawyer for Trump has asked Wood to allow her and the president to decide if any of the documents are protected by attorney-client privilege.
Joanna Hendon, Trump's lawyer, told an initial court hearing last Friday that the US president has an "acute interest" in the matter.
Woods must decide who should first read the seized material and whether any of it should be excluded from the case against Cohen.
It is not clear if she will rule Monday or release a written decision at a later date. Setting the scene for more potential fireworks is Stormy Daniels' intention to attend the hearing, according to her lawyer.
Cohen, Trump's lawyer for years, has admitted paying Daniels $130,000 before the 2016 election. The president has denied any knowledge of the payment to secure Daniels' October 2016 signature on a hush agreement preventing her from talking about the liaison.
The porn star, real name Stephanie Clifford, is fighting to quash the agreement.
The Justice Department says Cohen is being investigated for criminal conduct "that largely centres on his personal business dealings."
Court papers filed by Robert Khuzami, the deputy US attorney in Manhattan, are redacted making it unclear the alleged criminal conduct for which the 51-year-old Cohen is being investigated.
The Justice Department has said last week's searches stemmed from "a months-long investigation" and seek evidence of crimes by Cohen, "many of which have nothing to do with his work as an attorney."
According to The Washington Post, Cohen may be under examination for possible bank fraud and for campaign finance violations.
The raid on Cohen's home and office came as special counsel Robert Mueller's probe intensifies its focus on the president's inner circle.
Mueller's team is examining possible collusion between Trump's 2016 election campaign team and Russia, as well as allegations of corrupt behaviour by Trump campaign lieutenants and of White House efforts to obstruct the investigation.
So far, 19 people have been indicted, including the chairman of Trump's campaign and his former national security advisor.
Source-AFP
Canada pulls families of diplomats out of Cuba over mysterious illness
Canada announced Monday it was bringing home the families of its diplomats in Cuba, after a year-long investigation into a mysterious illness afflicting Canadian and US officials failed to reveal a cause.
The number of Canadian envoys and family members with symptoms, meanwhile, has risen from eight to 10, a senior official told a media briefing. Twenty-seven had been tested.
"The cause (of their symptoms) remains unknown but could be human-made," the government concluded.
In a statement, the government said: "Arrangements will be made to support our diplomatic staff and their families returning to Canada in the coming weeks, as well as for those families who had expected to be posted to Cuba this summer."
Otherwise, "regular embassy operations will continue," it said, adding that it does not believe there are any risks for Canadian tourists in Cuba.
Canadian and US authorities had initially suspected a "sonic attack" or a "mass psychosomatic incident," which led to heightened diplomatic tensions between Washington and the Caribbean island nation. But those are "now considered unlikely," the senior official said.
American doctors and officials have pointed to "a new type of a possible acquired brain injury" outlined in a February issue of Journal of the American Medical Association by health experts at the University of Pennsylvania, who treated 21 US diplomats.
Canada has accepted that theory.
The symptoms included dizziness, headaches and a lack of ability to concentrate. "In some cases the symptoms have appeared to lessen in intensity, before reasserting themselves," the government said.
Those who were afflicted included global affairs, immigration and national defence staff at the embassy as well as their spouses and children.
An environmental assessment in March of diplomatic staff quarters where the illness appeared to have been centred, including air and water tests, "did not indicate anything that could point to a cause."
The last two cases in August and December involved individuals who reported having sensed what they described as waves of pressure.
Unlike their American counterparts who suffered injuries resembling brain trauma, however, no Canadian envoy reported hearing any suspicious sound prior to falling ill. One Canadian described hearing a high pitched noise like a sheet of metal being flexed, but they did not suffer any sickness.
Initially US officials suspected the Americans had been targeted by some sort of acoustic weapon, although in public senior officials were more cautious, speaking of "health attacks."
More recent US media reports suggest that FBI agents dispatched to Havana have not been able to find any evidence to support the acoustic or sonic weapon theory, either.
An investigation led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in collaboration with US and Cuban authorities continues.
Ottawa noted it has received "close cooperation" from the Cuban authorities since the health concerns first surfaced in April 2017.
MINISTER ATTENDS 9TH COMMONWEALTH SPORTS MINISTERS MEETING, GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA
Minister of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services, Hon. Edwin Astwood, attended the 9th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting (9th CSMM) 2 – 3 April, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia.
The Meeting was held directly before the commencement of the Commonwealth Games - Gold Coast 2018 - and welcomed Sports Ministers and delegates from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Right Hon. Patricia Scotland, Q.C. opened the meeting and introduced the chair of the meeting, Australian Minister for Sports, Senator the Hon. Bridget McKenzie.
The role of this year's 9th CSMM was underpinned by three key themes:
Strengthening the value and integrity of sport through policy coherence;
Leveraging sport investment as a contributor to the Sustainable Development Goals and human rights; and
Enhancing Commonwealth cooperation to promote a cohesive sport policy agenda.
Following the Sports Ministers Meeting, the Commonwealth Secretariat released a communique which captures the joint strategies and collective action of the Commonwealth Sports Ministers.
Sports Minister, Hon. Edwin Astwood, was accompanied by Deputy Secretary, Tamera Howell-Robinson and Director of Sports, Jarrett Forbes. Minister Astwood shared; "This meeting of Sports Ministers highlighted that sports should not only be viewed as a sector but as an industry." He further noted; "The objectives of the meeting ties in with what we want to do with Sports as it is a contributor to national development some key areas of development include sports tourism, health and wellbeing, and enhancing the longevity of our population."
Minister Astwood while on the Gold Coast also visited with the athletes and officials of Team TCI at Village 2018 and attended the Opening Ceremony of the Games. Team TCI includes athletes participating in two sporting areas – Shooting and Athletics.