TCINIB announces a revision of NIB Benefits & Contributions Regulations
The Turks and Caicos Islands National Insurance Board today Thursday, announced a number of amendments to various sections of the National Insurance Benefits and Contributions Regulations 1992 effective January 1st and April 1st, 2015.
Deputy Director Operations, Mr. WFL Gardiner in a public announcement noted with regards to:-
1. Maternity Allowance Increase
The maximum duration and payment of a Maternity Allowance Benefit is now increased from 12 weeks to 14 weeks with effect from April 1, 2015.
2. Payment of National Insurance Contributions
To allow for easier payment of contributions, the NIB says provisions will be introduced this year for the payment of contributions at places other than an office of the National Insurance Board as well as payment via credit and debit cards.
3. Mandatory Submission of Monthly Contribution Statements
All Self Employed Persons and Employers will now be required to submit a Contribution Statement to the National Insurance Board at the end of every month, even in the absence of a payment and according to the NIB, failure to do so will be considered an offence.
4. Self Employed Continuous Employment
Of importance, is an amendment regarding the Self Employed in Continuous Employment. The National Insurance Board advises that a self-employed person who fails to notify the Board in writing of any suspension or termination of employment, will now be considered as being continuously employed and as such, will be liable to pay contributions for any period in which the NIB is not formally informed.
5. Disqualification re Entitlement to Invalidity Pension
Persons in receipt of Invalidity Pension are now disqualified from receiving his/her pension during any period that he\she is gainfully employed.
6. New Contribution Rate for Voluntary Contributors
The contribution rate for a person who elects to contribute as a Voluntary Insured person is now increased from 5.5% to 10%.
7. Increase in Wage Ceiling
Also according to the NIB, with effect from April 1, 2015, contributions in respect of an employee who earns more than $600.00 per week or $2,600.00 per month will increase from $600.00 per week to $925.00 per week for weekly paid employees and from $2,600.00 per month to $4,000.00 per month for monthly paid employees over the next three years as follows:
• April 2015 – from $600.00 to $700.00 weekly / from $2,600.00 to $3,000.00 monthly
• April 2016 – from $700.00 to $810.00 weekly / from $3,000.00 to $3,500.00 monthly
• April 2017 - from $810.00 to $925.00 weekly / from $3,500.00 to $4,000.00 monthly
Persons are encouraged to please feel free to contact the National Insurance Board at 946-1048 in Grand Turk or 941-5806 in Providenciales for further details or visit their website at www.tcinib.tc to obtain more detailed information on the recent legislative changes.
PAC WORKSHOP DEEMED A SUCCESS
The first ever Public Accounts Committee Training Workshop, has been deemed a success.
The Training Workshop was held in Grand Turk February 23 and 24, 2015 and was attended by His Excellency The Governor, Her Excellency the Deputy Governor, Members of the House of Assembly and Senior Accounting Officers/Management of the Government. His Honor the Speaker was also on hand to greet the senior Management of the Government. A number of supporting Staff and Heads of Department was also present. There was about 90% attendance by Accounting Officers and we were extremely pleased with this turn out. At the close of the 2 days, there was only one Ministry and Department that had not participated but we consider this a positive response,” said Chairman of the PAC, Hon. Sharlene Robinson.
“We believe that this Workshop has achieved its objectives and as suspected, the Mock PAC Hearing became the highlight of our time together. It was a session for PAC Members and Accounting Officers only and there was a complete reversal of roles with only a few PAC Members also serving as members of the National Audit Office. It was a fun learning exchange and certainly created a lighter environment. The Accounting Officers and members digested the content of a UK National Audit Office’s Report and performed their reversed roles admirably. It was certainly refreshing to observe,” she added.
As scheduled, His Excellency The Governor, Her Excellency the Deputy Governor and the Director of the Integrity Commission, shared on critical issues such as good governance, accountability and curbing corruption, while members of the PAC shared on the role of the oversight Committees and Audit Bodies. “The feedback received was positive and as members of the PAC we believe that it was successful,” said Hon. Robinson.
The Chairman of the PAC noted in the closing sessions, which were restricted to PAC Members only, members, together with the lead facilitator, agreed the way forward. “Mr. Philip Aylett was a great resource person and we are indeed grateful to the Governor’s Office for the funding which aided in the facilitation of his travel,” said Hon. Robinson.
The work of the PAC is a critical one and cannot be downplayed or stifled. It is critical to the public accounts of these Islands. As stated over and over during the Workshop, it is the goal of the PAC to have fewer and fewer audit issues raised and to eventually see cleaner and cleaner audits. This must be the goal of the Government and all financial oversight bodies and committees.
We have committed to ongoing training where necessary and look forward to reap the benefits of having a clearer understanding of our individual roles,” Hon. Robinson added.
PDM calls for crime statistics
The PDM is calling on the authorities to release the last year’s Crime Statistics, noting its disappointment that we are about to enter the 3rd month of the year and are yet to see the crime statistics for last year.
“We are aware that the statistics were some weeks ago presented to Cabinet as it was noted in its Minutes that are released publicly. We consider this important information for the people of these Islands for obvious reasons, but it may also be used to assess whether we are successfully addressing crime reductions and detections,” the opposition’s release noted.
“Last year we were not satisfied with the responses from the leadership of national security and elected government in this country.Whilst we are proud to still enjoy the lowest rates in the region and to remain among the safest, we are not comforted in this fact.
And whilst the numbers last year were not alarming for those who are not indigenous to these Islands, it was rather concerning to those who can appreciate that the numbers and types of offenses are not reflective of the country in which we want to live. We remain firm in our position to the creation of an aggressive Crime Prevention Plan and one that engages the public and involves the people of these Islands,” Hon Robinson said.
“We look forward to seeing the crime statistics and hopefully soon, the Premier’s promised Review of the former Commissioner of Police, who has already hand over leadership of the Force,” she added.
EU AMBASSADOR CONCLUDES HURRICANE REBUILD PROJECT
The successful delivery of the $6.25m project which saw 58 homes rebuilt or repaired following Hurricanes Ike and Hannah in 2008 was officially marked in the Turks and Caicos Islands today, Thursday, 26 February 2015.
The closing ceremony was presided over by Head of the European Delegation to Jamaica, Belize, Bahamas, Turk and Caicos Islands Cayman Islands, Ambassador Paola Amadei, who ceremonially handed over a set of keys to project beneficiary Doris Williams in the capital, Grand Turk.
“That the construction has been completed so quickly, and that the works have been done to such a high standard, is an incredible testament to the hard work of everyone involved since project activities began in 2012,” said Ambassador Amadei. “It was certainly no easy task.”
“The EU’s support for the Turks and Caicos Islands has been tremendous,” added TCI Governor Peter Beckingham, who is also chair of the country’s Disaster Recovery Board (DRB).
“The DRB allocated the resources available to those people in greatest need, with those on the lowest incomes and/or living in a damaged property with elderly, infirmed or disabled dependents taking priority.”
The European Union, of which the UK is a member state, supported repairs to the damage caused by the Hurricanes on the TCI islands of Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay. A 2009 UNESCO study identified these as the worst affected by Hanna and Ike.
In total 24 new homes were built; major repairs conducted at a further 27 properties (including new roofs, guttering, rainwater cisterns and storm shutters); and seven homes also had minor repairs carried out.
All of the building work was carried out by local firms, including Olympic Construction, Higgs Construction, Parker & Sons Construction, as well as other small sub-contractors.
Contractors and their staffs also received training, delivered by local professionals, in the application of the new TCI Building Code to residential construction. The training notes produced by the project are now available as a guide for contractors and residents undertaking residential building projects in the TCI.
Governor lauds TCI’S Tourism business at annual Hotel and Tourism Awards
His Excellency the Governor Peter Beckingham has lauded the Tourism business in the TCI.
Speaking at the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Annual Hotel and Tourism Association Awards dinner on Thursday 26 February, the Governor said that everyone in Turks and Caicos, from MP’s and developers to taxi drivers and bar staff, should congratulate themselves on the country’s impressive tourism figures.
“Our reputation is riding high in our key North American market, as the Premier and I saw in New York last December,” the Governor said. “Many tour operators were telling us how attractive TCI has become as a tourist destination, and I was left in no doubt that our brand is in great shape, thanks to the hard work of the Tourism Board, developers, and all those who work in the industry” Governor Beckingham said.
The Governor also noted how important first and last impressions at the Airport were to retain and develop business. “We don’t have hard, statistical information, but my strong impression is that our Immigration and Customs Officers have made a real effort over the last year or so to give visitors a warm welcome when they first set foot in TCI. Recent visitors from London, as well as one of the UK’s most senior overseas diplomats, have told me that they have had a very positive experience on arriving in TCI,” he shared.
The Governor concluded by saying that not only Association members, but everyone living in TCI, should take credit for the Territory’s robust tourism growth.
“I was able to tell the visiting European Union Ambassador to TCI that we are now one of the best performing tourism destinations in the region. Our low crime rate, and our high quality product, is proving a magnet for North American visitors, not least when they can escape the winter chill,” noted Governor Beckingham in his luncheon address at the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Annual Hotel and Tourism Association Awards dinner on Thursday.
TURKS AND CAICOS AUTHORITIES INTERCEPT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ATTEMPT
A sloop carrying 56 would be illegal immigrants (50 males and 6 females) was intercepted by the marine division, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) at 11:25pm, Thursday, 26 February 2014.
At 10:15pm the Marine Police was alerted by immigration staff at the government’s coastal radar station of a suspicious vessel being tracked, they deployed shortly after.
All Marine Branch assets and officers have since returned Safely to the Marine Base.
All 56 individuals are now being processed by health and immigration officials and will be deported at the earliest opportunity. All appear to be of Haitian origin.
The Police can be contacted anonymously on 911 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477. Tips can also be submitted anonymously in English, French or Spanish on either www.crimestoppers.tc or on Facebook as a fan of Crime Stoppers Turks & Caicos. Crime Stoppers tips are received in the USA.
RBS reports £3.5bn loss for 2014
UK state-owned bank RBS has reported a loss of £3.5bn for 2014, down from a £9bn loss the previous year.
The results were hit by a £4bn writedown on the sale of its US business, Citizens.
The bank's chief executive Ross McEwan confirmed he would not receive a bonus this year.
But RBS will still pay out bonuses from a pool of £421m, which is some 21% smaller than in 2013.
Mr McEwan defended the size of the bonus pool.
Speaking on the Today programme he described it as "fair pay" and said it was necessary to pay bonuses to attract people to carry out "fairly technical jobs".
The bank is 79%-owned by the British taxpayer after a government-led rescue in 2008.
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has written a letter to the new chairman of the bank, Howard Davies, saying he expected the bank not to give bonuses to senior executives.
He wrote: "I would also expect that, as in the past, no executive directors or members of the executive committee will receive bonuses, despite improved profitability.
"Given the extraordinary support it has enjoyed in the past from taxpayers, I know you recognise that RBS must remain a backmarker on pay and continue to show responsibility and restraint."
Thursday's results show that after one-off costs are stripped out operating profits were £3.5bn last year, the highest since 2010.
Source-BBC
Ghana secures $1bn IMF loan in bid to revive economy
Ghana has struck a deal with the International Monetary Fund aimed at stabilising its troubled economy.
The three-year deal follows months of talks prompted by the government's failure to meet targets on inflation, the budget deficit and growth.
The Ghanaian economy had been expanding at about 8% annually on the back of gold, cocoa and oil exports.
However, growth fell to 4.2% in 2014 as commodity prices fell and the currency depreciated.
The IMF will provide Ghana with loans worth about $940m in instalments, beginning in April.
Joel Toujas-Bernate, head of the IMF's Africa division, said the short-term priority was to stabilise Ghana's economy.
Finance minister Seth Terkper said the agreement was expected to "make markets to react more positively" and encourage more support from donors.
The IMF now expects inflation in Ghana to fall to between 11% and 12% by the end of the year.
Growth should come in at 3.5% in 2015, it said, rising to between 5% and 6% by 2017.
Madonna falls off stage at Brit Awards 2015
Pop star Madonna fell off the stage during her performance at the 2015 Brit Awards, on a night that saw Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran each win two prizes.
Madonna tumbled down a set of stairs and landed awkwardly, apparently after a dancer tried to remove a cape she was wearing at the start of her routine.
But she recovered and returned to continue her song, Living For Love.
The 56-year-old issued a statement later saying she was "fine" and that her cape had been "tied too tight".
"Nothing can stop me and love really lifted me up," she wrote on Instagram, referencing the lyrics to her song. "Thanks for your good wishes!"
The painful incident came at the end of a ceremony where Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith shared the honours, winning two awards each.
An average of 5.3 million people tuned in to the ceremony on ITV, according to overnight ratings - rising to 5.8 million when ITV+1 viewers are added in.
That is up from the 4.6 million who tuned in last year - but less than 2013's overnight audience of 6.5 million.
You may have wondered why there was no gasp of shock from the O2 crowd as Madonna took her backward tumble.
Well, sitting way up in the balcony seats among some of Madonna's biggest fans - the type who know and sing along with every lyric - the initial thought was that it may have been a particularly well orchestrated dance manoeuvre.
Consider the evidence - she fell on the lyric "I let down my guard, I fell into your arms" and was back on her feet to sing purposely "now that it's over, I'm going to carry on".
The truth later emerged but credit to the showbiz trooper for carrying on. In the words of those other Brit Award history-makers Chumbawamba "I get knocked down but I get up again".
Sheeran scooped the night's main prize, album of the year, for his record X - which was the best-selling record of 2014 in the UK.
"I was really worried abut this album," he said, accepting his trophy from actor Russell Crowe. "It took a long time to make."
The star added it had been a "very, very good year for British music".
"I don't think a statue gives justification of people's success," he continued.
Sheeran also won best British male, while Sam Smith took home best breakthrough artist and the global success award - recognising album sales outside the UK.
The singer, who won four Grammys earlier this month, thanked his fans in an emotional speech.
"Since I was a little kid I dreamed of people all over the world singing my songs and although I've got a long way to go, this shows that I'm stepping in the right direction."
Earlier, Taylor Swift opened proceedings, playing her hit single Blank Space surrounded by dancers in white suits and bowler hats.
She went on to win best international female, her first award after eight years of releasing records in the UK.
"I started out playing King's College [in London] and eight years later I'm getting ready to play Hyde Park," she said backstage. "It's like... what?"
The star dedicated her award to Sheeran, a close friend, who fanned the flames of her love affair with the UK by "taking me to pubs and showing me how to make a proper cup of tea."
Both acknowledged their slow-building success in their speeches.
"Oh my god, wow," said Swift. "I've been coming to England and playing shows for eight years and this is my first Brit Award, I'm so happy."
Paloma Faith won best British female, and also alluded to her slow-building career.
"This has been 13 years in the making and I'm going to gob off a bit," she told the audience at London's O2 Arena.
She revealed she'd "been arrested twice" for fly posting in Hackney when she was a young artist, but could now see her face on posters at the tube station outside the venue.
Faith's third album, A Perfect Contradiction, was the biggest-selling female record in the last year, shifting more than 725,000 copies.
She also gave one of the night's more elaborate performances, singing Only Love Can Hurt Like This under a streaming waterfall.
Mark Ronson won best single for Uptown Funk, while Brighton rock duo Royal Blood were presented with best British Group by rock legend Jimmy Page.
The band also performed at the show, alongside George Ezra and Kanye West, who premiered a new song All Day, which had to be heavily censored by ITV.
Source-BBC
Jamaica Parliament approves ‘Ganja Law’
The much anticipated amendment to the Dangerous Drugs Act was passed in the House of Representatives.
The debate on the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill, often referred to as the ganja law, was piloted in the House, by Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting.
The Bill was passed with five amendments in the Senate on February 6, piloted by Minister of Justice Senator Mark Golding, under intense scrutiny from the Opposition, during a seven-hour debate
The Government is hoping to see significant economic gains from the decriminalisation of ganja, particularly in the area of medicinal use, which is a US$2.5-billion market in the United States.
The changes to the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act will make possession of two ounces or less of marijuana a non-arrestable, ticketable offence, that attracts no criminal record.
Where the person found in possession of a small quantity of ganja is a minor, or an adult who appears to be dependent on the substance, they are to be referred to the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) by the police officer issuing the ticket.
Additionally, the Bill prohibits the smoking of ganja in public places, and makes provisions for the granting of licences, permits and other authorisations to enable the establishment of a regulated industry for ganja for medical, scientific, and therapeutic uses.
It also provides for the creation of a Cannabis Licensing Authority, which will be responsible for developing the regulations governing the medical marijuana industry.
The Bill was tabled in the House of Representatives on February 10.