Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating a number of offences
Investigators of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating a number of offences that occurred over the past weekend.
On Saturday 5th March 2016 around 1:49 am complainant reported that he heard a loud noise from the outside of his home in Dock Yard and upon making checks he noticed a man known to him beating another known male. Police responded to the area and met the aggrieved who stated that he was beaten about the body and hit with a bottle on his head by a man he knows. He was taken to CHMC for medical treatment.
Also, on the same date at around 11:45 am complainant reported that the storage room of a building located in Long Bay was burglarized. Officers responded to the area where the complainant was met. He told officers that the laundry room of the building was secured on Friday 4th March 2016 and upon his arrival today, he made the discovered of the break in and five (5) televisions (three (3) 55inches and two (2) 32inches missing.
Another complainant reported to Police that the Tuck Shop at the Adelaide Oemler Primary School was secured on Thursday 3rd March 2016 at 2:45 pm and on Saturday 5th March 2016 at 8:20 pm it was discovered broken into. Missing were one box of M&M candy, one box of Candy, one box of Munch Bars and one box of warheads candy.
On Sunday 6th, March 2016 in the early morning Police responded to a home on Breezy Brae where a complainant stated that her home was secured at 5 pm the today before (Saturday 5th March 2016). When she arrived home at 2:26 am she discovered the house broke into. Three bedrooms were ransacked, and a black iPod was missing.
Also on Grand Turk on today’s date (Monday 7th March 2016), a complainant reported to officers that at around 4:15 am while in the districts he noticed the door of the Dominican Supermarket located on Pond Street open. As a result, officers visited the store and observed an East wooden door with hangers pulled off, and the inner glass door was broken. The store Manager was met and stated that the Supermarket was secured at 5 pm on Sunday 6th March 2016. Stolen were some meat from a cooler, a few bottles of Hennessy, Coconut Bambara Rum and three (3) cases of Budweiser can beer.
Officers are also investigating two separate reports of wounding that occurred earlier this morning at 809 Club located on Blue Hills Road, Providenciales. At 3:28 am officers responded to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where two males (brothers) were being attended to by doctors in the emergency room for serious stab wounds. Also, at 4 am, a 19year old male reported to the Police that while at the said Club he had an altercation with two men who he believe are brothers which resulted in a fight, causing him to receive two wounds to his right arm.
Investigations are ongoing on all offences.
Police are urging anyone with information about any of the crimes above to call Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc, Chalk Sound Police Station 3385901. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter page.
Police update for Turks & Caicos
Complainant reported that at 10:45 pm on Tuesday 8th March 2016, he parked his White Toyota Corolla car in his yard in Kew town before going to bed. Upon waking up the next day he discovered where some unknown persons stole the stereo and battery from the said vehicle.
On Wednesday 9th March 2016 at 11:32 am complainant reported to Police on behalf of his stepdaughter that an unknown male had entered her home with a gun and took her Black Samsung Galaxy-4 phone. Officers responded where the aggrieved told them that she was at home in her room when she heard a noise from something that fell on the floor of her living room. Upon making checks she noticed a dark complexion male, about 6ft tall wearing a black shirt, green short army pants with a black shirt covering his head. She further stated that the man pointed a black short revolver handgun at her before taking her phone as she was screaming and ran in the bushes. Police made checks in the nearby bushes but no one was seen.
Update:
Investigators of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have arrested a 19year old male of South Dock Road Providenciales, for Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm during a fight that occurred at Club 809 on Blue Hills Road. The fight occured on Monday 7th March 2016 at 3:28 am where two males sustained serious stab wounds and were taken to the Cheshire Medical Centre. Both men are still at the hospital but in stable condition.
Police are urging anyone with information about all incidents to call Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc, Chalk Sound Police Station 338-5901 Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter page.
PDM LEADER RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS OF DISHONESTLY SERVING THE PEOPLE OF TURKS AND CAICOS
It is rather unfortunate but I have found it necessary to respond to misinformation placed in the public domain regarding my role and that of my Party in the drafting, presentation and carriage of the Retiring Allowances (Legislative Service) (Special Provisions) Bill 2015 passed January 27th last year.
Whilst I do not usually respond to attacks on my personal character and service to the people, my Party and I found it necessary to do so in this instance as this goes to the root of the misconception on the part of too many members of the public as to the role of the Opposition and the powers available to it in serving from this place.
I have never misled the people of this country and categorically deny all allegations that I am a liar and that I am compromised on any issue allowing myself to be limited and dishonest to obtain votes. On the contrary, I have had to speak to many tough issues over the years that has offended many as my role does not allow me to dodge issues and fly beneath the radar. I came to this office in 2012 with a pledge to serve my people fearlessly and selflessly.
To this end, I make the following statements:
The Leader of the Opposition and all other back benchers cannot bring money Bills or money Motions.
The fundamental issue at hand more importantly is the perceived role of the Opposition versus reality and the powers available to us. The money Bill alleged to have been brought by myself could not be brought. As I do not sit in Government and specifically in Cabinet, I am not allowed by the House Rules called Standing Orders to bring any money Bills or Motions. Non - Cabinet members cannot increase expenditure or make decisions on how the monies can be spent. That rest with the members of Cabinet which is comprised of the Governor, as Chair, the Premier, the Ministers, the Attorney General and the Deputy Governor. This is why we have had to craft the Motion as we did as it relates to Pensions and Gratuities and the issues relating to those civil servants who left the Service and have disputes of payments.
The wording in the old version of the Standing Orders and the new Standing Orders which governs who can bring money Bills and money Motions remain the same and was in place since the beginning of Ministerial Government:
PUBLIC MONEY
Except on the recommendation of the Governor signified by a member of the Executive Council the Legislative Council shall not:—
(a) proceed upon any bill (including any amendment to a bill) which, in the opinion of the person presiding in the Council, makes provision for imposing or increasing any tax, for imposing or increasing any charge on the revenues or other funds of the Islands or for altering any such charge otherwise than by reducing it, or for compounding or remitting any debt due to the Islands; or
(b) proceed upon any motion (including any amendment to a motion) the effect of which in the opinion of the person presiding in the Council is that provision would be made for any of the purposes aforesaid.
1. The Leader of the Opposition did not craft the Attorney General's Bill
No member of the PDM nor myself assisted in drafting this Bill which was the sole work as usual of the AG's Chambers when Bills are brought and especially for those brought by the AG herself who answers for the Public and Civil Service in the House.
2. The Leader of the Opposition nor any member of her Team did not bring any Money Bills or Motions
A copy of the Parliamentary Agenda shows the Bill was brought by the Attorney General on January 27, 2015. (Attached)
3. The PDM's Position
There were prior discussions with myself which I raised with my Party as to whether we would be opposed to the MOF being allowed to retire as a former Chief Minister. This discussion included but expanded beyond the Parliamentary members and NO ONE expressed any objection to the allowance of the Minister of Finance to retire as a former Chief Minister.
During one of our many Pre Parliament meetings when the Bill was then crafted and presented, I raised the matter with my team and the objection was to the back pay and not to having a former Chief Minister retire as a Chief Minister like the others.
Our objection which I voiced in the House of Assembly as the lead on the Bill was to the back pay, how it was calculated and the justification for it.
There was a period where I was invited to bring a resolution to allow for the MOF to retire as a former Chief Minister but even on retirement, the increase in expenditure that would result barred me under the Standing Orders from assisting in this way.
We still believe that all former Chief Ministers should be allowed to retire at that level.
4. Request For Information Continues
The AG stated orally and it was contained in the Explanatory Memorandum of the House that the matter was raised with and approved by the Integrity Commission and that other pension anomalies were raised. Since February 9th 2015, we have requested information on the other pension anomalies, the calculations of the back pay and other queries from the Debate. These requests were made in writing by email again on April 1, 2015 and again as recent as last week March 6, 2016.
We invite the public to understand how government works, to access public records for truth: copies of Parliamentary Agendas and the Standing Order of the House are all public documents and then of course, all meetings of the House of Assembly are aired publicly over Radio, it is important to listen when you can.
We remain committed to serving our people honestly.
North and Middle Caicos Causeway Officially Reopened
The Minister of Infrastructure Housing and Planning, Hon. Amanda Missick, confirmed that the reconstruction of the North/Middle Caicos causeway has been completed and that that Causeway is now fully open to traffic between the two islands. The Public Works Department in the Ministry would like to thank the general public, especially regular users of the causeway, for their patience while the works were being carried out and apologize for any disruption.
The causeway has been reconstructed and is of a much higher standard than previously. The causeway has been enhanced by the raising of roadway sections, the reinstallation of a smooth bituminous pavement and the facilitation of additional waterways underneath. Other enhancements also include signage, solar powered lighting and pavement markers.
This was the second phase of reconstruction after the damage sustained by Hurricane Hanna in 2008; the first phase was completed in August 2013 and the second recent phase commenced on 18 May 2015. The total cost of rebuilding both phases was just over $5m.
The Acting Governor, H. E. Anya Williams, Hon. Premier and Minister Amanda Misick among other Ministerial Colleagues and MPs, PWD, JACA (Contractor), public servants and other well-wishers in the Community of North and Middle Caicos, attended the ribbon Cutting ceremony on March 8th, 2016 at 10:30 am at the site to celebrate the official reopening of the Missick Williams Causeway.
The official reopening also commemorates the passing of Javern Missick and Marco Williams in 2007. Many of their family members and friends were present to celebrate and assist in the ribbon cutting of the causeway, which was named "Misick-Williams Causeway" in their honor.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning, Hon. Amanda Misick stated; "The reconstruction of the North to Middle Caicos Causeway is critical to the people of these islands. The economy, residents' livelihoods and the growth of the islands, on a whole is dependent on good infrastructure between the islands and the causeway is a vital link. Our Government has agreed and is 100% committed to fund the rebuilding and upgrading of the causeway to help these islands prosper. The connection between these islands also means economies sharing infrastructure and facilities which make the lives of those dependent on them safer and more pleasant."
The Minister also expressed her sincere thanks to all the persons in her Ministry and Department of Public Works for their undying efforts to bring this project to fruition.
Theft of Vehicle and Sentenced
Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating the theft of a vehicle that was stolen on Sunday 6th March 2016.
Complainant told officers that at 11:30 pm on Saturday 5th March 2016 the car was parked in an area on the Ridge Grand Turk, leaving a spare key inside. Upon checking the next morning at 5:30 am (Sunday 6th March 2016) the Brown Nissan Primera car was missing. Officers immediately launched an investigation. The vehicle was found yesterday (Monday 7th March 2016) around 9:50 am in an area on Pond Street. The left front passenger glass window was broken, the spare key was not found, and the battery was missing.
Sentenced
Kathleen Williams of Palm Grove, Grand Turk was given a suspended sentence of 12months Imprisonment yesterday (Monday 7th March 2016) in the Magistrate’s Court after she plead guilty to Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm.
The sentenced was from a report that was made on Tuesday 2nd February 2016 at 1:46 pm where a complainant said that Kathleen Williams hit her on the arm with a hammer causing the arm to be swollen.
Also yesterday, Jayme Malcolm of the Ridge Grand Turk, was found guilty in the Supreme Court for Assault
Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm.
It was reported sometime last year that Mr. Malcolm entered a Business establishment on Grand Turk, where he had an exchange of words with one of the female employees which resulted in a fight. The lady informed officers that Mr. Malcolm entered the business and inappropriately touched her on her body at which time she told him not too. He got upset, and they started to argue, and a fight ensued. He went outside and returned with an object in his hands and begun beating the complainant causing her eyes and forehead to become swollen. Police launched an investigation.
Mr. Malcolm was later arrested and charged with the offence.
He was sentenced to six (60 months imprisonment but suspended for two (2) years. He was also fined three thousand ($3,000) plus five hundred ($500) compensation to the victim and which is to be paid in twenty-one (21) days or six (6) months imprisonment.
Air Services to South Caicos.
In a follow up to a release sent to RTC News, InterCaribbean releases there 2nd release:
"Following a concerned call for South Caicos air service, we wish to ensure there is no misunderstanding of the press release of interCaribbean concerning Air Service into South Caicos. interCaribbean has continued to maintain and will continue to maintain its air services into South Caicos.
The press release below relates to the ongoing concerns, impact to our business, and our business reputation caused by the lack of ability to upgrade the fire service availability, despite significant days of request and denials, to receive no approvals or just a last minute decline of the request. The affect of these events places our business, the needs of the community and the resort now in operation in a very precarious and untenable position,with economic harm to all concerned.
We appreciate the support of our services to South Caicos, and call upon all to support a fact finding that results in the airport providing clear answers and a service that directly impacts the economic well being of the residents of South Caicos and the developing businesses that now result in new jobs hiring on island.
We thank the Media of the Turks & Caicos for their support.
interCaribbean Airways Media Relations."
interCaribbean Airways regrets the continued disruption of flights to and from South Caicos
In a release sent to RTC News, from interCaribbean which states:
"We like the travelling public are dismayed with the state of the Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (RFFS) at South Caicos (XSC). The unreliability of the RFFS has been ongoing for nearly two years now with acute unreliability/un-serviceability or reported sabotage of equipment in recent weeks which have severely impacted our ability to deliver reliable air service to the community of South Caicos and to support the recent spike in travel to the island due to the opening of the resorts there.
During the last two weeks alone we have made numerous request to have the RFFS upgraded to enable us to operate into South Caicos with our Embraer E120 aircraft which have all been denied. We have inquired of Turks & Caicos Airport Authority (TCIAA) what is really happening and why they are not able to ensure a reliable RFFS but have not received any satisfactory response or explanation.
It was only on February 29th that TCIAA CEO advised us that the RFFS vehicle was fully repaired, yet 2 days later our request to upgrade flights was refused on the grounds that TCIAA was not able to provide the requisite RFFS service for the E120. Finally late on Friday 3rd March we received information from them that "due to loss of Rescue and Fire Fighting coverage ALL flights are suspended". Suffice to say the TCIAA CEO has not responded to our last request for updated information, so we are not in a position to advise when normal flight operations to/from South Caicos would resume.
All correspondence between the CEO of TCIAA and interCaribbean executives have been copied to various Government Officials including the Premier and the Minister for TCIAA so there is confidence that Government is fully aware of the situation.
We find it ironic that the TCIAA chooses to issue a press release (without copying interCaribbean), while it fails to adequately communicate with interCaribbean as a principal stakeholder at the airport. Equally alarming, and of particular not,e is the fact that this is not the first time in recent weeks the TCIAA has said that the RFFS equipment has been sabotaged, but yet we understand an offer to provide safe guarded overnight secure parking for the equipment was declined by the Airport Authority. When all this is taken in context, one may reasonably conclude that providing the required RFFS and thus keeping the airport operating at South Caicos is of a low priority to TCIAA.
We call on the Government and the TCIAA Board to examine the matters surrounding the RFFS at this airport and to provide an account to all stakeholders as the steward of this Public asset."
Chicken Pox
The Ministry of Health Agriculture and Human Services has noted an increase in the number of chickenpox/varicella cases being reported over the past several weeks. The number of cases have declined when a comparison was made for the past two weeks; but despite education and advice by health care providers to persons and parents of children diagnosed with the illness, there are still reports from the principals and teachers of some parents’ reluctance to keep their child/children away from school while they are ill.
Chickenpox/varicella is an acute illness characterized by fever and an itchy blister-like rash that can spread over the whole body. Chickenpox/varicella generally begins with this blister like-rash which lasts for about 3 to 4 days, after this time the blisters will rupture/burst forming a crust and leaving a scab.
Chickenpox/varicella can spread from person to person by direct contact, droplet or airborne spread of the fluid from the lesions/blisters, secretions from the respiratory tract (lungs) of the infected person and from items freshly soiled by persons who have chickenpox. The period when the blister ruptures is the time when the chickenpox is most likely to spread. An individual can be ill with chickenpox for up to 21 days, however, in most cases the illness will last up to 16 days.
The individual who is ill with chickenpox must avoid close contact with others in the home until the blisters are dry and crusted. Continuous disinfection of surfaces, linen and clothing must be done to prevent spread within the household. It is critical that all individuals ill with chickenpox must remain home for a period of 14 days to prevent spread. Teachers and parents of school-aged children especially are asked to remain vigilant in identifying and removing children from the school population who are coming to school with a blister-like rash on the skin.
It is critical that persons who have symptoms of chickenpox see their primary care physician for treatment and acquire sick leave for a period of 14 days. After the 14 day sick leave period, the individual must return to the physician or the public health nurse at one of the primary care clinics to obtain a fit for work or school certificate allowing them re-entry back into school or work. Anyone returning earlier than this time or without this certificate should not be allowed in school so as to prevent spread to other children.
In healthy children, chicken pox is generally mild however adults are at risk for more severe disease and have a higher incidence of complications. Additionally, special precautions should be taken for anyone (of any age) with impaired immunity, accompanying chronic diseases, elderly, infants and pregnant patients.
In most cases, chickenpox gets better without the need for specific treatment. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications and may include: bed rest, extra fluids to drink – to avoid dehydration, paracetamol to bring down the fever (aspirin should be avoided because of a possible increased risk of complications), lukewarm baths with baking soda or oatmeal added to the water and cream, such as calamine lotion, to reduce the itching. If the fever persists, it is advised to re-visit the doctor.
There is a varicella vaccine available on island at the private facilities. This vaccine is not offered by the government operated primary care facility because the efficacy i.e. its ability to effectively prevent chicken pox is only 60-90%. However, persons who are interested in acquiring the vaccine may do so.
For further information on chicken pox please contact any of the primary health care facilities.
HON. LIGHTBOURNE ADDRESS FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
Today we celebrate International Women’s Day. While we can be proud of the significant progress already made, this day reminds us that much work lies ahead to achieve true gender equality. As such, let us reaffirm our commitment to women's rights and move forward with courage and determination. I am honored to pay tribute to all women around the world today under the theme “Pledge for Parity: Equality for Women; Progress for all.”
The theme Pledge for parity is significant and timely for the department of Gender Affairs, as at beginning of April 1, 2016, the Gender Affairs, will be, more visible and equip with the relevant resources so as to allow it to function more effectively to mainstream gender equality through effective mechanism throughout the TCI.
It’s everyone responsibility to pledge for parity as we need to empower our women and girls through, motivational support, collaboration, educational opportunity, healthy lifestyle, it is through these initiatives, women and girls alike will be provided with opportunities to tap in their area of expertise.
International Women’s Day is a day of celebration, but also a call to action because there is still massive inequality and violence against women that we need to overcome.
These are major constraints that hinder our development and they must be addressed in order to achieve sustainable and equitable development. This can only be addressed through partnerships at different levels between men and women, boys and girls as well as partnerships between various sectors in the development process. This implies that if development is to be fair, women’s contributions in social, political and economic spheres should not only be solicited, but should be deliberately promoted for equitable and sustainable development.
If a women is educated, she will gain confidence, she will have employable skills and employment will lead to financial independence. Empowerment will strengthen her and make her daring to take up new challenges. The empowerment of women and girl girls have a ripple effect that strengthens families, communities, countries, and ultimately the world. This promotes more productive and stable countries, enhancing global prosperity and security; benefitting us all. Today, let us give a face and Pledge for parity let us be the voice for the grass roots women who has been ignored. A male can take you where you want to go, but a female will take you where you ought to go.
On this day all over the world we consider both the steps forward that have been taken towards better lives for women and the progress that still needs to be made. We need to make gender equality an integral part of every aspect of life and of every human endeavor. There is overwhelming evidence that equality for women is progress for all. It leads to inclusive growth and contributes to peace and security. Gender equality offers the world solutions to the challenges facing our generation.
I call on every women and men boy or girl to join he campaign as we Pledge for parity by empowering our women. Empowering is important as she not only builds the home, but all routine responsibilities are completed by our women When at last she is at the forefront of our development efforts, it is she who will change the world.
Women are achieving great things, and many other women are still suffering, disempowered and vulnerability. Today I am humbled by what women have achieve; even in the toughest of circumstances women are working to make peace, to put bread on the table and to earn their own incomes. The voices of all women need to be heard so that their equality can be a game changer for all humanity. As a nation we must keep working to realize gender equality, to allow a vision of the future where girls and women can fulfill their own potential, and help their families and their communities to grow and prosper.
We have to make decisions that could end these things that hurt us, our children, our school and our communities. We are the ones that can Pledge for Parity. Make things happen to prevent these social ills
As we celebrate International Women’s Day this year let us also bear in mind that the struggle is far from over. Women’s empowerment should never be reduced to individual success stories. It should be about collective well-being.
In closing, I would like to extend my best wishes to you all for a happy International Women’s Day, participate and enjoy all of the events that’s plan in the various Islands. I call upon all women and men of the Turks and Caicos Islands to work together in partnership in order to address the challenge of inequality and move into a transformed and prosperous era. We can and must do better because equality for women is progress for all!
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION'S WOMEN'S DAY GREETINGS 2016
Today as the world celebrates International Women's Day, I wish to salute all women everywhere. Women have taken on new and emerging roles and with these new roles come challenges of juggling homes and careers. Let us make no mistake whether we are in the Board Room or stay at home moms, we are destined to birth and shape this world.
I say to all women, be confident in who God has called you to be, celebrate your unique role of mothering, be it your children or others. If we ignore this role, then what becomes of our children and our future rests on us. I am the daughter of a strong woman and a strong grandmother who ensured that their children were taught service in our Church and to our country as being of paramount importance and with these fundamentals, I am molded into what I am today. And this legacy of child rearing lives on in my daughters.
I say to those women who have braved the world of work and have found themselves in male dominated careers or non- traditional fields, be encouraged and shine. Always remember, let your work speak for you and let that alone propel you forward. There will never be a need to engage in less than classy tactics to claw your way through. Hard work will always pay off, just be patient.
And finally on this our Day, I encourage all women to support each other. It too often becomes too easy to turn what can be powerful fire to set ablaze a country and world towards change into friendly fire that destroys us by our own hands.
Let us do ourselves and our country and our world a favour and band together for the common good – that of rearing all the children into the future that we would wish to see and of playing our part with class and grace. Together we can achieve so much more and together we must.
Our country and world deserves it.
Way to Go Girl!
Vaya Chica!
Ale ti fi!
Kudos Ladies!