First meeting of Turks and Caicos Islands Government Audit Committee
The Governor H.E. Peter Beckingham was in attendance at the first full meeting of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government Audit Committee on Thursday, July 24, in Grand Turk.
As a result of several well reported corporate failures around the world, various Corporate Governance Codes place greater responsibilities on Executive Boards in both the public and private sectors. These Boards are now more clearly tasked with setting the organisation’s risk appetite and ensuring that controls are in place to manage risk within this. The Audit Committee is a crucial mechanism in supporting the Governor and Cabinet in meeting these obligations.
Addressing the Committee at its first full meeting, Governor Beckingham said: “The Audit Committee will be an important addition to the oversight aspect of the governance framework in TCI. The role of this Committee is a challenging one, and it needs strong, independent members who are able to apply their wide range of skills and experience.” Members of the Board are non-executive (i.e. drawn from the private sector,) and the Governor added: “The Committee is an excellent example of how the knowledge and expertise of the private sector can assist the public sector in meeting the significant challenges it faces.”
Deputy Governor's Civil Service Spotlight Article - June
This month the Office of the Deputy Governor is pleased to recognize the contributions of the Project Management Division within the Ministry of Government Support Services.
The Project Management division is responsible for the implementation and management of all government funded infrastructure projects throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their primary duties are: to prepare budgets for TCIG projects; to prepare contract documents for tendering and construction purposes; to coordinate project execution teams for various government projects and to monitor and quality control projects on the various islands.
Headed by Mr. Mark Mc Aulay who is the Principal Architect in Grand Turk and Mr. Garvin Thomas who is the Project Coordinator in Providenciales, the team is comprised of: Project Architects - Mr. Leshem Fulford and Kacey Lewis in Providenciales, Trainee Quantity Surveyors – Treven Hamilton and Max Grant, Architectural Technician – Valentino Selver, Civil Design Engineer – Mr. Rolando Combinido and Assistant Architect – Kawa Williams in Grand Turk.
Commenting on the honoree this month the Deputy Governor had this to say: “I am pleased to recognize the valuable contributions of our PMD staff this month. These persons have a great responsibility in crafting, implementing and monitoring our projects around the islands. They have seen great success during their tenure in government and have made various contributions and achievements amongst themselves. Most recently they have overseen the completion of the: H.J. Robinson Administrative Block; Customs Warehouse in Grand Turk; the reconstruction of Ona Glinton Primary and repairs to the Causeway in North/Middle Caicos. Mr. Grant and Hamilton have recently successfully completed the Caribbean Development Bank CJET Estimating training program; Mr. Thomas the Disaster Risk Reduction Leadership and Management training program; Mr. Lewis the TCI CERT program; Mr. Fulford the Building GIS Applications in Support of Disaster Risk Management training program and Mr. Grant was the recipient of the Project Management Development Award for 2014; while Mr. Selver himself has helped to create an in house database for all government property, contracts undertaken by the department and PWD stores, while also assisting in providing AutoCAD training to students at the H.J. Robinson High School in Grand Turk. These are all laudable achievements and are worthy of being recognized so this month we say thanks to our PMD staff.”
Downing of MH17 May Be 'War Crime
The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights says the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in rebel-held eastern Ukraine could be ruled a “war crime."
Navi Pillay said Monday in a statement "the horrendous shooting down" of the aircraft was a violation of international law that "may amount to a war crime." She called for a "prompt, thorough, effective, independent and impartial investigation" into the downing of the plane.
Pillay said every effort will be made to ensure that anyone committing serious violations of international law in the Ukraine conflict, "including war crimes," will be brought to justice, "no matter who they are."
U.S. analysts say the Malaysian airliner was shot down by a missile near the Russian border on July 17. U.S. experts have concluded that a Russian SA-11 "Buk" missile downed the aircraft and that ill-trained rebels likely fired the missile, believing the aircraft belonged to Ukraine's military. Rebels have dismissed the charge.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian official said that analysis of the black boxes retrieved from the crash site showed it was destroyed by shrapnel from a missile blast causing a “massive explosive decompression.” Investigators in Britain, who downloaded the data, had have not commented. They said they had passed information to the international crash investigation led by the Netherlands.
Fighting in the area where the plane crashed has forced a team of international investigators to abandon plans to gain access to the site for a second straight day. The team of Dutch and Australian experts said earlier Monday the group was renewing efforts to reach the site.
Source-VOA
Japan PM Abe arrives in Trinidad
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife, Akie Abe, arrived yesterday for an official two-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago.
From Piarco International Airport, Prime Minister Abe proceeded to the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, to pay a private courtesy call on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The Japanese Prime Minister then held a bilateral meeting with Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne and later met with Jamaica Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller.
Today, there will be a Caricom-Japan Summit, which is scheduled to start around 9 a.m. at the Hilton Trinidad in St Ann’s.
After that, Abe will continue a series of bilateral meetings with Caricom heads. He is set to meet with the Barbados delegation at noon; Dominica at 12.20 p.m.; Grenada 12.40 p.m.; Guyana, 1 p.m.; Haiti, 1.30 p.m.; St Kitts and Nevis, 2 p.m.; St Lucia, 2.20 p.m.; St Vincent and the Grenadines, 2.40 p.m.; and Suriname at 3 p.m.
He is expected to leave Trinidad and Tobago at 5 p.m. today.
Before his arrival in T&T, Express Political Editor Ria Taitt was invited exclusively to submit two questions to Prime Minister Abe. Following are the questions asked and the answers he gave:
Source-TRINIDAD EXPRESS
Dozens arrested in T&T
Hundreds of people are expected to appear before the courts today after police exercises in ten areas in southern Trinidad. Officers arrested 131 people for robberies and narcotics and one man was held for possession of a gun with five rounds of ammunition.
A warrant was issued for another who was in his company and escaped in nearby bushes. More than 130 traffic tickets were issued by officers, while 83 people were arrested on warrants. Twenty-seven people will appear before a magistrate for driving under the influence of alcohol. Officers also recovered five stolen vehicles during the exercises which began last Thursday and ended yesterday. They stopped and searched 975 motorists in Moruga, Princes Town, Ste Madeleine, Cocoyea, Pleasantville, Marabella, Gasparillo, Claxton Bay, La Romaine and San Fernando. The exercises were co-ordinated by Senior Supt Cecil Santana and included Supt Mohammed and James, ASP Maynard and Gaffoor, Insp Williams and Pachiko, Sgt Ramdhanie and Cpl Ramlogan, Southern Division Task Force and CID officers and the police helicopter.
Source-TRINIDAD EXPRESS
LeBron will return to 23 jersey with Cavaliers
NBA superstar LeBron James confirmed Sunday he will return to the number 23 jersey he wore in his first stint with Cleveland when he returns to the Cavaliers next season.
James posted a message on Twitter and Instgram saying he would give up the number 6, which he had worn for four seasons in Miami after leaving the Cavaliers in 2010 and with US Olympic gold medal teams in 2008 and 2012.
"23 it is!" James tweeted. "It's only right I go back 2x3=6. We still family 6."
Replica jerseys bearing James' name and number are among the best selling of all NBA apparel worldwide.
James wore 23 during his high school years in nearby Akron and with Cleveland, although some fans burned James jerseys after he announced his departure to the Heat.
James signed a two-year, $42 million deal with Cleveland earlier this month, holding out on a longer-term contract until after expected new television deals boost maximum payrolls for future seasons. It also allows James to leave if he dislikes the direction the team is going.
In his first stint with the Cavaliers, James guided them to the 2007 NBA Finals, where they were swept by San Antonio, the same team that beat James and the Heat in last month's NBA Finals.
Source-AFP
Four DC Comics brought to TV get Comic-Con event
Four DC comics brought to life for television took over the San Diego Convention Center's 6,500-seat Hall H at Comic-Con last Saturday night.
Arrow star Stephen Amell hosted the extravaganza called 'Warner Bros Television Presents a Night of DC Entertainment'.
He introduced actors Ben McKenzie, Grant Gustin and Matt Ryan before the world premiere of Fox's Gotham, a screening of The CW's first episode of The Flash and footage from the upcoming third season of CW's Arrow. At the end of the night, they played the pilot for NBC's Constantine for fans who sat through the three-hour event.
In the Arrow footage, it was revealed that DC villain Ra's al Ghul will appear in season three. The part has not yet been cast.
The hero character, Ted Grant, known as Wildcat, will also be introduced.
Following the screenings, the cast and producers of all four shows participated in a panel session hosted by Geoff Johns of DC Comics.
Gotham premieres on FOX, September 22, The Flash debuts October 7 on The CW, Arrow returns to The CW October 8, and Constantine comes to NBC on October 24.
Source-AP
TURKS AND CAICOS ATHLETES IN GLASGOW FOR 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
A delegation of nine athletes from the Turks and Caicos Islands is in Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games with events began on Thursday July 24.
The TCI team took part in a spectacular opening ceremony at Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland, last night, which kicked off eleven days of competition. Over the course of the Games, 5,000 athletes from 71 different nations and territories will take part in 261 events, watched by an estimated global TV audience of 1.5 billion.
“The Commonwealth Games provides a great opportunity for the Turks and Caicos Islands to showcase their sporting talent, and is second in stature to only the Olympics in terms of international athletic events,” commented the Governor, Peter Beckingham. “I hope everyone in TCI will join me in supporting the nine men and women flying the TCI flag in Glasgow. I’m sure they will make their country very proud.”
Team TCI was accompanied to the opening ceremony by the Deputy Premier, and will be supported throughout the competition by Ms Rita Gardiner of TCI’s Commonwealth Games Association and a team of coaches and physiotherapists.
The athletes taking part are: Richardia Missick – 10m Air Pistol Women; Angelo Garland – Men’s 400m, 4x100 Relay, 4x400m Relay; Kivarno Handfield – Men’s High Jump, 4x100 Relay, 4x400 Relay; Wadly Jean – Men’s 200m, 4x100 Relay, 4x400 Relay; Courtney Missick – Men’s 200m, 4x100 Relay, 4x400 Relay; Ifeanyichukwu Otuonye – Men’s Long Jump, 4x100 Relay, 4x400 Relay; Dominique Missick – Men’s High Jump; Michael Francois – Clean and Jerk, Snatch (weigtlifting); Ronald Parker – Clean and Jerk, Snatch (weightlifting.)
The support team includes: Alvirto Smith - Head Coach Athletics, Donovan Garvey – Manager/ Coach, Kimmitt Harvey – Coach Weightlifting, Franklyn Thomas - Coach Shooting, Edwin Astwood – Anti Doping Rep/Physiotherapist, Rosalie Ingham – Chef De Mission/Team TCI and Cheryl Forman, Secretary General of the CGA.
TCI Post Cabinet Statement, 23 July
His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, chaired the meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 23 July 2014 at the Hilly Ewing Building on Providenciales.
All Ministers were present except Hon. Deputy Premier.
At this meeting Cabinet:
· Were given an overview of a draft Manufacturing Policy by the Premier. Cabinet took note, and agreed a public consultation on the policy will commence by the end of August;
· Heard an update from the Premier on the legislative bills that would be presented to the House of Assembly before the end of December. These included: National Honours and Awards Amendment Bill; Trust Ordinance Amendment Bill, Companies Ordinance Amendment Bill, Insolvency Bill, Securities and Investment Bill, Domestic Insurance Bill, Banking Bill, Immigration Bill, National Health Insurance Amendment Bill, National Parks Amendment Bill, Crown Land Ordinance Amendment Bill, Electricity Ordinance Amendment Bill, Child and Family Legislations, Sports Development Bill, Disaster Management Bill, Dormant Accounts Bill, Credit Union Bill, TC Invest Renewed Bill, Encouragement of Development Amendment Bill, Health Regulatory Authority Bill, West Caicos Authority Bill, Lottery and Gaming Bill;
· Approved the grant of a 99 year lease to NCPAA Limited over the northern portion of North Creek (part of Parcel 10105/11,) save and except the main channel of the Creek and subject to the maintenance of a 150 feet buffer between the leased area and the banks of the creek. It also approved the grant of a license to NCPA over the southern portion of North Creek for the installation of mooring buoys and to facilitate the overall developments proposed by the Company;
· Approved the extension of a License to Chukka Caribbean Adventures, for a period of 21.5 years, over a portion of Parcel 10101/24 in Grand Turk to pursue the establishment of a Canopy Challenge Course as a tourist attraction;
Agreed to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with the proponents of Caonabo Resort & Spa to develop a mixed use hotel and resort on 67 acres of block #10503, Governor's Beach in Grand Turk;
· Noted the contents of a consultant report on TCI's gaming industry carried out by White Brocklebank Associates. Cabinet agreed to proceed with new gaming and lottery legislation, informed by the report’s recommendations in order to develop a strong and well-regulated industry;
· Approved stamp designs commemorating Chinese New Year, and noted that future designs should highlight the Turks and Caicos Islands culture; Ministers will be out of the country on personal breaks during the period July to August 2014.
GOVERNMENT MAKING PROGRESS ON ITS INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
Developers Desarrollos Hotelco Turks and Caicos, Ltd, this week met with the Premier and Minster of Tourism, Culture and Heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dr. the Hon. Rufus W. Ewing and the Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade, Hon. C. Washington Misick, to discuss the investor’s commitment to contributing to the development of the Turks and Caicos Islands and a Government’s commitment to fast-tracking the development process, for the mutual benefit of all.
The US$202 million dollar, three-prong Hotel-Casino development that will span some 11 acres of the pristine coastline of the award-winning Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, will deliver 263 new keys, consisting of a combination of guest rooms, condotel units and residences.
While the developers remain tight-lipped on the chosen brand for this five-star luxury property, the Government was however assured that this will be announced in short order. Whatever the chosen brand, the Government aims to have a Development Agreement in place by September of this year, to allow construction to commence in early spring of 2015, thereby creating some 300-400 jobs locally, before moving on to other equally-anticipated developments by the Desarrollos Hotelco Group for the Turks and Caicos Islands.