21st Sitting of the Executive Cabinet
The 21st Sitting of the Executive Cabinet which convened yesterday in the nation’s capital, Grand Turk, was chaired by the Acting Governor, H.E. Anya Williams and attended by all Ministers, except the Minister of Health, who was out of the country on official business.
The meeting began with the usual opening prayer and followed much of the same path as always with different agenda items were tabled for discussion. However, one of the items on the agenda was a special one, permitting the Government to ask questions of the Attorney General, Huw Shepherd relating to the concerns that had been raised with the now-former Governor, Ric Todd.
The question session, which occurred towards the latter part of the day, ended with the Government’s dissatisfaction and frustration at the inadequacies of the Attorney General’s answers and the Premier and Ministers reaffirming that they have lost all confidence in the Attorney General.
These questions are matters of national concern that transcends political parties and affects every citizen, visitor and investor to the islands. It is because of these wide ranging implications that the Government remains resolved to getting the AG to answer these questions. The Premier remarked, “My Government is committed to the principles of good governance and one of the fundamental principles is accountability and we would not be serving in the best interest of the people of these islands if we do not hold all persons accountable.”
The House of Assembly was adjourned early this morning with the government and the other Members of the House of Assembly retiring to chambers to discuss the concerns the government has with regards to the AG and they also took the opportunity to discuss other matters of national concern with the view of working together for the betterment of the people of the Turks & Caicos Islands.
The Government wants to reassure the people, investors, and to the country that the Government is still functioning and continues to work in the best interest of the people of these islands.
35 apprehended following the illegal landing on Governors Beach
The Ministry of Border Control and Labour has confirmed that 35 people have been apprehended following the illegal landing of a vessel at Governor’s Beach, Grand Turk on Wednesday (October 2, 3013).
The vessel from Haiti arrived in Grand Turk at approxinamely 7:30 am with an undetermined number of illegal migrants aboard. So far 31 men and four women have been detained and the search continues for others who may have eluded the efforts of the Ministry and its law enforcement partners.
The Ministry of Border Control and Labour is again reminding the Grand Turk community that it is illegal to offer refuge to anyone who has arrived in the Turks and Caicos Islands illegally. Under Section 70 of the Immigration Ordinance;
Any person who knowingly harbours any person who is in the Islands in contravention of the (Immigration) Ordinance commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $10,000 or to imprisonment for a period of two years or both.
The Ministry will provide updates as soon as additional information is available.
TURKS AND CAICOS 21st POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT
Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Anya Williams, chaired the 21st meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 2nd October 2013 at the House of Assembly Building on Grand Turk.
All Ministers were present except Hon. Porsha Stubbs-Smith who is out of the country on official business. Due to disruptions in service at the Grand Turk Airport, Ministers Gardiner and A. Misick attended the meeting via teleconference.
At this meeting Cabinet:
• Approved proposed amendments to the Customs Ordinance (CAP 19.04) to mandate the keeping of records by importers, which will facilitate Post Customs Clearance Audits; the Attorney Generals Chambers has been asked to draft the appropriate amending legislation for later review by Cabinet and onward submission to the House of Assembly;
• Approved the Revocation of the Domestic Financial Services Sales Tax (DFSST Variation of Rate of Tax) Order 2013 which would have increased the rate of tax from 10% to 12%. Cabinet agreed to forego the tax increase and instead agreed to undertake a review of the DFSST legislation in light of concerns expressed by the Bankers Association;
• Received a report from the Attorney General and agreed minor amendments to the Tax Information Exchange Ordinance to permit the Turks and Caicos Islands to give domestic legal effect to the Multilateral Convention on Tax Matters and to enable the Tax Information Exchange Agreements entered into by the Turks and Caicos Islands to have retrospective effect in respect of requests related to criminal tax matters;
• Received a paper from the Minister of Home Affairs and Environment regarding deteriorating air quality issues on Providenciales. Cabinet requested that the Minister of Home Affairs and Environment and the Minister of Health establish a working group (involving all relevant Ministries and Agency's) to consider developing appropriate environmental legislation to counter deforestation, pollution and littering;
• Received a paper from the Minister of Home Affairs and Environment outlining TCI’s interest in joining the Caribbean Challenge Initiative. Cabinet endorsed the Ministry’s proposal to forward a request to the CCI Secretariat to participate in the program;
• Received a paper from the Attorney General regarding the development of a strategy for the recovery of arrears in Crown Land rent. Cabinet invited the Attorney General to further develop the proposal and present recommendations which will include flexible payment plans to Cabinet at a later date;
• Received a paper from the Minister of Home Affairs and Environment providing information on the functions and affairs of the National Trust. Cabinet agreed to meet with the Directors of the National Trust to further discuss the contents of the paper;
• Received and discussed a report from the Minister of Finance providing the results of a mid-term budget review;
• Noted the preliminary report of the Blue Ribbon Committee on Taxation and requested a further meeting with the Committee to discuss its recommendations in more detail. Cabinet noted its thanks to the Blue Ribbon Committee on Taxation which was established on 18th July 2013 and held its first meeting on the 2nd August 2013 for providing their valuable time and expertise to assist this work. The Committees objective is to provide advice to the Turks and Caicos Government to broaden and modernise the tax base;
Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.
October 10 is World Mental Health Day 2013
On October 10, 2013, the TCIG Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence (DMHSD), Ministry of Health and Human Services will join the World Federation of Mental Health to commemorate World Mental Health Day.
The Department is in support of the initiative as a way to highlight some of the issues surrounding mental health and to raise awareness about these illnesses in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This year’s theme is “Mental health and older adults”.
On that day the Department will be conducting several activities including Mental Health Educational lectures/sessions at the following dates and times:
1. Thursday October 10th from 9:00 am to 12:30pm at the Dillon Hall in Grand
2. 2. Turk and Friday October 11th from 9:00am to 12:30pm at the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) in Providenciales
There will also be a community information drive including information stands at Cockburn Town Medical Center and Cheshire Hall Medical Center.
On Saturday October 12, A Walk to End Alzheimers will begin at 6:30am from the Library Tennis Court in Grand Turk. Check-in and registration is slated to start at 6:00am.
Mental disorders reportedly affect nearly 12 percent of the world’s population- roughly 450 million or about one out of every four people around the world. Here in the Turks and Caicos, 75 to 80 percent of persons referred to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence have a diagnosable mental health disorder.
For further information on World Mental Health Day, kindly contact the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Department within the Ministry of Health and Human Services at: 649-946-2801 Ext 50504 Grand Turk or Providenciales 82500.
Director Outlines New Plans for Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence
Recently appointed Director for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence, Dr. Alicia Malcolm has outlined new plans and objectives for the department including a renewed focus on efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination.
In a recent conversation Mrs. Malcolm, she noted that the Department would be doubling its efforts to educate and make the TCI more aware of the issues relating to Stigma Discrimination in the lives of people living with mental health conditions.
She noted: “Looking at the overall mental health situation in the Turks and Caicos Islands, one of my greatest concerns pertains to the stigma that plagues the lives of people with mental health conditions. Stigma is a reality for many people and is one of the biggest barriers for persons wishing to seek help”.
Dr. Malcolm stated that she was cognisant of the need to strengthen the Department’s Substance Abuse Intervention and Prevention Services, particularly among youth of the TCI. She envisions a school-based program that would provide on-going support for teens at-risk for substance abuse and ultimately lead to reduced rates of alcohol and other drugs.
Another task high on the Departments agenda, she said, was the undertaking of a National Study on the prevalence of Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders within the country. According to Dr. Malcolm, this information will form the basis of the next Mental Health and Substance Abuse Strategic Plan and serve as a guide for program planning.
Other plans include the further Development and strengthening its relationship with the private sector, as well as various international and regional bodies, as it will take a united effort to improve the lives of persons struggling with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders in the TCI.
For more information on the DMHSD call: 649-946-2801 Ext 50504 in Grand Turk or Providenciales 82500.
HM PRISON SERVICE ANNOUNCES PRISON WEEK 2013
Her Majesty’s Prison Service, Ministry of Environment and Home Affairs announces ‘Prison Week 2013’ to take place between October 13 and 19, 2013.
The Week of activities will highlight the work of the prison in the TCI community and will feature several activities beginning with a church service on Sunday October 13, 2013. On Tuesday October 15 at 12:00 there will be a prison Farm display at Cee’s Car Park on Grand Turk.
The Prison will open its gates to visitors for an exhibition of works by both staff and prisoners on Wednesday 16th October and on Saturday 19th October at 12:00 it will be sports day featuring HM Prison Vs Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force at the on the parade ground.
During the week the prison will be embarking on several projects in the town as well as a community clean up.
Ministry Responds to Stabbing Incident at Clement Howell High School
The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sport and Culture is working with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force to address an incident that occurred at the Clement Howell High School on Tuesday afternoon, October 1, 2013.
The Ministry has been notified that four (4) students from the school were involved in an altercation which resulted in the stabbing of one student. The incident occurred at the end of the school day.
According to the reports, a male student of Form 5 was stabbed by another student while waiting in the vicinity of the school's auditorium for the school bus to arrive. Some members of the academic staff who allegedly observed the exchange accompanied the injured student to the Blue Hills Clinic for medical attention. He was later transferred to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre.
The Ministry has been advised that the stab wound is not life threatening and the student is responding well to the treatment and care he is receiving.
As a result of the incident, the school's Critical Incident Management Plan has been activated and measures are being taken to contain the situation.
The Ministry takes these occurrences very seriously and will not tolerate behaviors that put the student population and the academic and ancillary staff at risk. All efforts will be made to cooperate with the Police to ensure that Law and Order is maintained and that those students, whose aim is to disrupt the sense of security on and around the school campus will be held fully accountable.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is also continuing its own investigation into the matter.
Grand Turk Airport Closure
It is with much regret that the Management and Board of Directors of the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority apologise to the traveling public in and out of Grand Turk for the disruptions to flight operations due to the continual failures of the Aerodrome Fire Services, believed to be caused by acts of sabotage/vandalism to vital equipment.
The matter is under investigation.
Management has taken all reasonable efforts and actions to mitigate as much as possible further disruption to flight operations at Grand Turk Aerodromes.
It must be reiterated that the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority has not and shall not compromise on safety.
The Board and Management sincerely apologies for any inconvenience caused.
PDM Deputy Leader Responds to Minister of Finance
I am happy to learn that the Premier and Minister of Finance have finally addressed concerns I raised in April of this year in regards to the potential for a conflict of interest when the moratorium was placed on new gaming licenses. However, I am skeptical as to why this change in Portfolio is now being made. Why has it taken the Government some six months to arrive at a conclusion that I raised back in April?
We have been waiting anxiously for the report from the Consultant, whom the Government was to bring in to perform a review of the industry. Up until this point the Consultant's arrival is still pending. Therefore, I agree with the Minister of Finance when he stated that "It's not a game. It is serious business". I can only hope that the actions of the newly appointed Minister for the
Lottery & Gaming, the Hon. Premier, echo this statement.
Hon Sean R. Astwood
Tourist Board Host Successful Northeast Sales Blitz
The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, accompanied by resort property representatives, embarked on a 3-month training and sales blitz throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Midwest markets of the United States.
During the 3-month initiative, Tourist Board representatives trained 250 reservations agents from Delta, and United Continental through MLT Vacations, as well as agents from Travel Impressions and CheapCaribbean, on selling the destination. In addition, the Board conducted a series of product launches and sales calls with over 400 travel agents in Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte and in the Northeast.
The sales blitz was organized by Regional Marketing Manager for the Tourist Board, Mrs. Pamela Ewing, who directed Team TCI to the many meetings they were scheduled to attend. These meetings gave the agents an opportunity to meet with the resort property representatives and allowed them to discuss any concerns or suggestions for the betterment of the tourism industry.
“The events have been very successful; we have received excellent reviews from our industry partners who have participated with or attended the various activities,” raved Mrs. Ewing. “We believe that these promotions are vital to ensure that our brand is in front of the public, so that we will garner much needed business throughout the year.”
The Tourist Board extends its gratitude to their hotel partners including, Regent Grand, Villa Renaissance, Ocean Club Resorts, The Sands at Grace Bay, Regent Palms, Gansevoort, Ports of Call Resort, Club Med, Point Grace, Windsong, The Tuscany and the Venetian, The Alexandria, Beach House and Blue Haven Resorts for their collaborative support and participation in these significant promotional events.
The Tourist Board carries out similar exercises throughout the year involving its regional offices. These activities will culminate in a series of familiarization trip in the Turks and Caicos. In the month of October alone, the Tourist Board will host three groups consisting of media publications, tour operators and travel agents from the United Kingdom, United States and Italy, respectively and in December a destination wedding focused familiarization trip from Canada.