RTC Director

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION TO HOST YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP WORKSHOP

The Ministry of Education, through the Department of Youth Affairs will partner with Invest Turks and Caicos, The Center for Economic Development and the Young Corporate Alliance, to host the first ever Entrepreneurship Workshop. The workshop will take place on Friday, 4th March at 6:30pm-9:30pm at the Regant Palms on Providenciales, under the theme "Seize the Opportunity, Capture the Business!"

The Honourable Akierra Missick, Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Youth commented that, "As the Minister with the great responsibility of promoting the growth of our youth, my Ministry continues to find ways to provide our young people with sustainable and high quality training that support their entry into entrepreneurship throughout the Islands. It is time for us to move from just training persons to become employees, and now jointly create an environment that will develop employers and sustainable businesses."

The purpose of the workshop is to provide persons (ages 17-45) in our communities resources and information on the role of the newly established Invest Turks and Caicos, the recently passed Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Ordinance 2015 which contains many offerings to provide support for Micro and Small businesses and to learn the various business programs available through the newly establish agency Invest TCI.

Small business owners who are interested in setting up a display of their products and services at the workshop are invited to do so, are ask to register with Mr Nixon Dickenson by Tuesday 12:00pm March 1st 2014.

Interested entrepreneurs are strongly encouraged to support the Entrepreneurship Workshop as the Department of Youth Affairs in collaboration with the Invest TCI, The Center for Economic Development and the Young Corporate Alliance, make strides to cultivate an environment through programme development and community partnership to equip and empower persons in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

by RTC Director

New Deputy Commissioner and confirmed Assistant Commissioner of Police in the TCI

After much concerns and complaints, the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force has made some moves at the top to better curb the challenges of crimes and robberies in the Turks & Caicos.

Joining the force is Marc Callaghan, he has over 37 years of Policing experience in the United Kingdom. We are told he has a strong operational background and in 2002, he was promoted to Detective Superintendent in West Yorkshire where he was working on reducing crime and disorder.

Marc was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 2005 and was posted to Chapeltown in Leeds. During his time, he introduced Neighborhood Policing Teams and by working with partners and the community significantly reduced the incidences of robbery, gun crimes, and drug dealings.

In 2007, Marc became the Police Commander at Wakefield where he was recognized nationally for his innovative methods of involving and engaging his community and his work in significantly reducing anti-social behavior and reducing crime by over 20%.
Later that year, he took command of the Force’s Professional Standards and Anti- Corruption Unit. He was responsible for the investigation of complaints against the Police and conducting targeted anti-corruption investigations. He was also responsible for security and management of Police information and the Force Criminal Records Bureau.

Marc is a qualified Public Order Commander and has also had responsibility for the planning and command of the operations involving the Police use of firearms. He has since worked with her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary as an Associate Inspector conducting inspections of Police Forces in the United Kingdom in relation to their effectiveness and legitimacy.

Being confirmed to his position is the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Wayne Jones. Mr. Jones enlisted in the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force on 1st March 1980 and received his initial training at the Regional Police Training Centre in Barbados.

He is a highly experienced officer and has attended professional development course in TCI and abroad to improve his effectiveness including the International Commander’s Programme at the NPIA in the United Kingdom in 2007. While there he was attached to Gloucestershire Constabulary, Stockholm County Police Authority in Sweden and Guernsey Police.

In addition to fulfilling the role of Divisional Commander for “A” Division in 2010, he accepted the additional responsibilities as the Commandant of the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Training School.

In June 2013 he was promoted to act in the capacity of Deputy Commissioner of Police and on the 8th December 2014 he acted in the capacity of Assistant Commissioner of Police until he was confirmed in the rank on 15th February 2016 following a competitive interview process.

Both officers are operating in there respective positions now.

by RTC Director

MINISTER OF EDUCATION EXCITED BY EDUCATION WEEK THEME

"During the week of February 28th to March 4th the Ministry will celebrate Education Week. This year, I am especially pleased at the theme that was chosen for the week long observances: 'Success for Every learner'. Education Officials and partners will know that this theme underlies our five year strategic plan and many of the key initiatives implemented in our Ministry."

"Success for every learner means that we provide various opportunities to ensure that each child, from the time they enter our system is given the opportunity to excel according to their special abilities. Whether a child is good academically, prefers to work within the skills area, excels in sports or is an all-rounder."

"Success is ensuring that on leaving our system, all children are able to leave with some form of certification. The Ministry believes the curriculum must be reviewed, that Technical and Vocational teaching and learning must be enhanced, that children with special learning considerations must be given opportunity for inclusion and resources must be in place to ensure all of this takes place."

"This week, you the public will get an opportunity to see 'Every learner' on display. I am sure the various schools will put on displays, invite you in to witness learning and teaching in action. I do hope you support it. I do hope that you see beyond what else needs to be done, to what is being achieved by our teachers, students, parents and partners."

"I am looking forward to joining in on all the National Events and to celebrating with all my Education officials at the Department and School level. I am going to shout Success to Every Learning! Success to Every Learner!"

by RTC Director

Man found guilty for Bribery

It was on Tuesday 30th December 2014 at around 2 pm when the Traffic Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force were conducting vehicle checks and stopped a Honda Accord car driven by Mosset Calixte of Haiti.

His driver’s licence was found to be up to date but the insurance was expired. The officer warned him of Intended Prosecution for not having his vehicle insured. After hearing this from the officer Mr. Calixte then offered to pay him. The officer informed him of the offence and arrested him.

On Monday 22nd February 2016 at the Magistrate’s Court, he was found guilty of the charged and was ordered to pay a penalty of one thousand dollars ($1,000) forthwith or four months imprisonment.

The money was paid.

by RTC Director

CSIA ANNOUNCES NOMINATION AND ELECTION DAY FOR CSA EXECUTIVES

The CSIA would like to thank all the civil servants for their attendance at the civil service meetings in Grand Turk and Providenciales on 17 & 18 February, 2016. The purpose of these meetings were to inform the civil servants of the role of the CSIA and announce the re-establishment of the CSA and the appointment of the executive body. The civil servants provided valuable input in regards to the nomination and election process. Based on the recommendations the following dates have been set for nominations and the elections. They are as follows:

1st March, 2016 - Nomination day

4th March, 2016 - Announcement of candidates

23rd March, 2016 - Election Day

1st April, 2016 - Announcement of President and Vice President

There will also be public debates between the candidates for President and Vice President prior to the Election Day. The dates and times will be announced. Civil Servants will be informed in the upcoming weeks about the nomination process by their Head of Departments and via social media on the CSIA's social media accounts.

by RTC Director

Turks and Caicos Islands Continues To Benefit From TCI-EU Relationship

The Turks and Caicos Islands along with other UK overseas countries and territories recently attended the 14th European Union Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) Forum held in Brussels, Belgium during the week commencing 22 February 2016.

The delegation which included the Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, Minister of Finance Hon. Washington Misick, Deputy Governor and EU program manager for the TCI Anya Williams, Permanent Secretary Finance Athenee Harvey and Head of Secretariat and Head of UK Office Ronlee James and Tracy Knight, participated in several key meetings with the EU including its trilateral meeting with the Director General for Development and Cooperation Mrs. Jolita Butkeviche to discuss the ongoing progress of EU programs in the TCI; a regional meeting with other OCT's to discuss the progress of the regional program centered on sustainable energy and marine biodiversity programs in the OCT's, along with their participation in the 14th Ministerial Conference and EU OCT Forum where Premier Ewing led a round table discussion on Enhancing growth and investment opportunities in the OCT's along with his intervention on the OCT's response to the new global agreement on climate change.

At this year's 14th Ministerial Forum, the TCI Premier Hon. Rufus Ewing was elected to serve as the Vice Chair of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association. This is a key role as the TCI stands in line to be elected as the Chair of OCTA at the 15th OCT Forum which is to be held in Aruba later this year and will coincide with the planned UK Presidency of the EU.

Premier Ewing commented that he was pleased to be taking on the role as the new Vice Chair of the Overseas and Countries and Territories Association. "The overall mission of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) is to improve policy dialogue, strategic partnership and sustainable development in the Overseas Countries and Territories. This appointment comes at a time when there is great uncertainty surrounding the future relationship of the U.K. and the EU with a referendum having already been announced for June 23rd, 2016. At the Joint Ministerial Council held last December in London UK Overseas Territories were quite clear on the benefits of grant funding received through the EU. It is important for the TCI that the funds already earmarked for TCI in the EDF 10 and 11 programs are not jeopardized in any way. Our meetings with the EU sought to clarify issues such as this and we are quite certain that the TCI can still fully benefit from these programs notwithstanding the pending referendum. I look forward to my role as the Vice Chair of OCTA and will continue to promote programs and policies for the betterment of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the wider context of the OCT's."

Commenting on the TCI EU relationship Hon. Washington Misick stated that; "The TCI continues to enjoy a successful relationship with the EU; the EU having committed to over twenty five million euros (€25m) in grant funding to the TCI through the EDF 10 and 11 programs. The EDF 10 program of €11.85m is geared towards building a better business sector, with the first drawdown of (€3m) having been received in April 2014, the second disbursement of (€4m) having been received in December 2015 and the final disbursement of (€4m) due in December 2016. While the EDF 11 program of €14.6m formulated around improvements in the education sector will span the years 2017-2020. This has been of great assistance to the TCI and these are most noteworthy programs that will bring real benefit to the people of the TCI."

Deputy Governor and EU program manager for the TCI Anya Williams stated that she was pleased with the overall success of the EU programs in the TCI. "The TCI has over the years managed several successful EU programs including the Housing program which provided new and/or renovated homes to many families affected by Hurricane Ike in the islands of Grand Turk and South Caicos; the Protected Areas Management Project which provided much needed grant assistance to the National Trust and the EDF 9, 10 and 11 programs which provided millions of dollars in grant funding to valuable programs in the TCI. At a time when the TCI was working extremely hard to stabilize its finances, the Director General for Cooperation and Development stated that she took a personal risk in 2012 in reinstating the TCI into the EU program, but we are both happy and proud that we have exceeded the EU's expectations and now have one of the most efficient and effectively managed EU programs within the overseas territories."

by RTC Director

TCIG TO HOST STRESS PREVENTION WORKSHOP IN SALT CAY

The National Health Emergency Management Unit (NHEMU) within the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services is responsible for the coordination of activities designed to prepare for, monitor, mitigate and respond to natural and manmade disasters and emergency situations that could overwhelm the health sector.

The unit, working in partnership with other organizations, aims to prevent diseases and disasters, to reduce the vulnerability of the population to any disaster, to respond effectively and efficiently to the actual occurrence of disasters and to provide for recovery in the aftermath of any emergency involving debilitating influence on the normal pattern of life within the community.  Systems are put in place to evaluate the level of risk, vulnerability, available resources including human, financial, material and equipment and other factors relating to preparation and response to an emergency/ disaster.

Against this background, we have partnered with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence and Emergency Medical Services in organizing the Stress Prevention and Management in Disasters, Emergencies workshop.

This workshop is being conducted as part of our preparedness for the hurricane season and other emergency situations our essential services and emergency workers may have to deal with.  Our target audience at this time includes our health care professionals, District Administration, Fire, Police, Public Works Department and Key Community persons.  The workshop will take place in Salt Cay on Monday 29 February, 2016 at 10:00am.

The Objectives of the Workshop are as follows:

 
               1. To increase the knowledge level of emergency responders on Stress management in Disasters and Emergencies.
               2. To provide strategies that will help to promote the prevention and management of Stress during Disasters and emergencies.

Our facilitators are Dr Patrick Prince, Clinical Psychologist in the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence and Mr Delwin Ferguson the Director of Medical Emergency Services.

Taking into consideration that the World Health Organization has declared the ZIKA virus a Public Health Emergency of International concern, we will also have a special presentation on Mosquito Borne Diseases by the Environmental Health department during this workshop.

by RTC Director

EDUCATION MINISTER ENJOYS READING WEEK AT ENID CAPRON

The Minister of Education and Deputy Premier, Hon. Akierra Missick joined the Principal and staff of the Enid Capron Primary School as they observed reading week on Tuesday, 23rd February. As part of the observances the Minister took the time to join in the activities by reading to students and talk about the importance of reading for growth and development.

"As an avid reader, I am always excited for an opportunity to talk to our younger citizens about the benefits of reading", said Hon. Missick.  I was able to demonstrate to the very attentive Grade 2 class, that reading allows us to use our imagination and dream big. And also, the importance of reading and how it can help them to understand and learn more as they grow up and continue to go thru school."

Mrs. Garland, newly appointed principal of the Enid Capron Primary School, Miss Ne'lene Swann, Chief Organizer of the reading week and Ms. Malcolm and Williams teachers responsible for Grade 2 were praised by the Education Minister for their hard work and contribution. Also, A special thanks was made to the students, who were very attentive and welcoming to their guests.

by RTC Director