Commonwealth observers say Bahamas election was “peaceful and credible”
The chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group to the recently concluded general election in the Bahamas, has commended the country for the peaceful and orderly manner in which they exercised their right to vote on May 3 in the advanced polls and on election day on May 10.
Issuing the Group's interim statement, the chair of the group, Hannah Tetteh said the overall conclusion was that the election was peaceful and credible and the will of the people was decisively expressed with a high voter turnout.
In the Group's statement, issued on Friday evening, she praised the conduct of members of the police force.
“We were impressed with the high level of technological preparedness and the manner in which they had considered every single aspect of the electoral process that could be supported by the police. It is a model of best practice that ought to be recommended across the Commonwealth.”
Tetteh also drew attention to the visibly high number of women electoral workers and commended the spirit of young people during the campaign as well as the number of young candidates participating.
In conclusion, the Group strongly recommended the establishment of an independent election management body with a modern voting and counting system.
Tetteh also drew attention to the visibly high number of women electoral workers and commended the spirit of young people during the campaign as well as the number of young candidates participating.
In conclusion, the Group strongly recommended the establishment of an independent election management body with a modern voting and counting system in preparation for the Commonwealth next general election.
Police recruitment ad attracts more than 2,000 applicants
AN ADVERT seeking experienced police officers to join the Royal TCI Police Force has attracted more than 2,000 applicants from across the region.
Commissioner of Police James Smith shared this news during a press conference at the police headquarters in Providenciales on Thursday, April 27.
He spoke about the recruitment process after one media house alleged that the force had recently recruited dozens of officers from Jamaica.
Commissioner Smith said the jobs were advertised across the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Caribbean, and no one has been recruited yet.
He explained that the force is looking for qualified police officers who are ready to go straight to work; whether from Turks and Caicos Islands or any other country.
"We are at the point now where we are beginning to shortlist these applicants to get the very best into the force.
"Not only does that mean we can get our boots on the ground quickly with experienced individuals, that means that we do not have the financial burden and problem of finding somewhere to house them, somewhere to train them and having to worry about the long training period," he said.
He added that it takes about two years to train police officers and an even longer period to train a marine branch officer.
The Commissioner said: "You first get the basic skills, then you get the specialist skills which you will need to be out on the water in dangerous conditions. It is not an easy business.
"My push is to get the best people as quickly as possible, but completely in line with the TCI constitution which says that we will take the best people for the job."
Hurricane Preparedness Month launched
In AN OPENING ceremony held at the Horse Stable Beach in North Caicos last Friday, May 5, to mark the launch of Hurricane Preparedness Month.
The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) initiative saw attendance from students and teachers of Adelaide Oemler Primary School, Hubert James Primary School, Doris Robinson Primary School and Helena Jones Robinson High School.
The Minister of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communications, Hon. Delroy Williams, brought opening remarks.
Williams stressed the importance of listening to weather warnings and taking the necessary steps to be prepared for the season.
"As minister, I will do all that is in my power to make sure that this department is up and functioning for this season," he said.
"I encourage you, the parents, and most especially the students that are here, to listen to your parents, follow instructions as they give them to you, be prepared for this hurricane season."
Permanent secretary of disaster management Clara Gardiner also brought greetings to the crowd and encouraged students to ask their parents if they are properly prepared for the hurricane season and offer help.
Director of the DDME, Dr Virginia Clerveaux asked a few questions about hurricane preparedness to ensure that the students were paying attention.
A church service was also held at the Harvest Bible Chapel in Providenciales on Sunday (May 7) to commemorate the month as the Director expressed when she appeared on RTC’s Expressions last week.
A Governor's Hurricane Conference started on Saturday (May 13) and will run through to May 19.
Minister of Home Affairs, Delroy Williams, issued a statement to RTC News this week in which he said that he along with his Government are committed to building capacity within the DDME and by extension, building resilience throughout the entire TCI.
"I have committed in the 2017-18 budget to address the need for a purpose built National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) with warehouse facilities, two snorkel vehicles to traverse flooded roads during emergencies, emergency radio communication upgrade and retrofitting of shelters.
"I am also committed going forward to provide DDME with the requisite human resources that it needs to effectively and timely carry out its duties,” added the Minister.
The Minister along with key members of the DDME and the Ministry will be issuing hurricane messages as we use the month of may as the Disaster Preparedness month, which will be aired on RTC FM.
Bahamas PM to reveal composition of 16-member cabinet
Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has announced plans to reveal the composition of his 16 member cabinet shortly.
On Friday, the chairman of the just elected Free National Movement (FNM) Sidney Collie said the prime minister will assign the portfolios and the new cabinet scheduled to be sworn in today Monday.
According to Collie, as soon as the Cabinet is sworn in , the first meeting will be held on Tuesday.
The new Attorney General, Carl Bethel has already been sworn in.
The Prime Minister, in his address to Turnquest who is the Deputy Prime Minister and Bethel as AG said their appointments are the beginning of the formation of the “people's government,” adding that transparency and accountability were often absent during the past five years but will be restored.
Minnis also said that the “ government will ensure that the public treasury is used for the public good rather than directed toward private interests”.
Grand Turk Fishing Tournament for June
The annual Grand Turk Fishing Tournament game fishing tournament fund raiser will commence on the 16th, 17th & 18th June 2017, at Governors Beach, Grand Turk. The organisers told RTC Sports that they are inviting all from Provo and other island teams to attend!
The Calcutta will be at the Salt Raker Inn, Front Street, at 7PM sharp this Friday 16th June.
Seamus Day added that this is their 5th Anniversary year and would be delighted if any of you can make the journey from Provo to support us. We will have the usual $10,000+ in prizes as well as a huge array of live auction, silent auction and raffle prizes, subsidized fuel etc.
Please let me know if would like to enter so I can ensure you receive the warmest welcome to Grand Turk and that we have the appropriate resources in place to accommodate the numbers.
Please join us, have some great fishing, win some decent prizes and all while supporting a worthy cause.
Early childhood education gets a welcome boost
Young achievers to attend LA science fair
THREE young scientists are jetting off to Los Angeles, California, next week to take part in an international science fair.
The winners of the FortisTCI National Science and Technology Fair are heading to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) from May 14 to May 19.
This Sunday (May 14) Holy Family Academy students Declan Beresford, Bridgit Tyson and Albert Dayupay will be beginning the one-week fact finding trip sponsored by FortisTCI.
They will be joined by their teacher Elizabeth Munoz, education officer from the Ministry of Education, David Bowen, FortisTCI senior human resource officer Robyn Hinds and junior corporate communications officer Kayla Lightbourne.
The Intel ISEF is the world's largest international pre-college science competition and although the TCI students will not compete during the event, they will attend as observers, sitting in on symposiums and sessions and taking in all the excitement that comes with showcasing projects on an international stage.
During this trip, FortisTCI representatives will also meet with ISEF officials in preparation for next year's event, when the Turks and Caicos Islands will officially participate.
The winners of the 2018 FortisTCI Science Fair will submit a project to compete in this prestigious, global event that attracts the brightest and best young innovators.
Sandbar goes up in flames in Grand turk
T.I. calls President Trump a “clown” for attacking Stephen Colbert
Now that President Donald Trump has hit back at Late Show host Stephen Colbert for Colbert's recent comment about him, T.I. says Trump’s response has “proven [that he's] the clown that we all knew that he was.”
After Colbert made a crude sex joke about Trump and Russian president Vladmir Putin during his monologue, the president called Colbert a “no-talent guy” who uses ”filthy” language.
Speaking with TMZ, T.I. said the president’s remarks “sound like he was referencing himself in politics."
"He has gone on record as saying some of the filthiest things I’ve heard said," said Tip. "The filthiest thing I’ve heard someone in his position say.”
The Grand Hustle CEO continued, “To cast that light on someone else when it’s really a reflection of you...they call that hypocrisy.”
T.I. added that he is not surprised by Trump’s actions.
“The reason he went in on Colbert,” he says, “is because Colbert be on his a** and be telling the truth. I would expect for that to happen.”
Anthony Hamilton plans to "appreciate" and "celebrate" the women in his life on Mother's Day
Ahead of his Mother's Day concert in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday, Grammy-Award wining singer Anthony Hamilton is sharing his own plans for the holiday, including how he'll honor the important women in his life.
The singer-songwriter says this Sunday will be filled with "appreciation" for the women who gave birth to his six sons: Anthony. Jr., Romeiro, Tristen, Aaron, Nolan and Princeton.
"My kids - my ex-wife - make sure that she feels appreciated," Hamilton tells ABC Radio about his plans on Sunday. "And my older boys [Anthony. Jr., Romeiro, Tristen] -- their mom -- to make sure they feel appreciated."
In addition to honoring his children's mothers, Hamilton, who lost his mom to cancer three years ago, will also be celebrating his own.
"My mom...we're gong to celebrate that," he says. "We're going to sing and celebrate the lives that were lost, and the new lives."
Hamilton will be joined by a star-studded line-up that includes Tyrese Gibson, Brandy Norwood, Kem and MAJOR. The 2nd Annual Mother’s Day Good Music Festival at Barclays Center is set to start promptly at 8 p.m. ET.
Source-ABC