Acting Governor Addresses Graduates
Acting Governor Anya Williams attended the 2013 graduation exercise of the HJ Robinson High School on Grand Turk.
She also attended their thanksgiving service on Sunday. In her address to the students, Mrs. Williams said:
“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate you the 2013 Graduating Class of the HJ Robinson High School.
“When you walk out of these doors tonight you will no longer be high school students, but will instead be considered to be young men and women. This will come with great opportunities, but also great responsibilities.
“Decision making in most instances will now be left to you; as your parents over the years would have helped you to groom you into the mature young men and women I see before me today, but you must never forget the principles that your parents, teachers, preachers, relatives or even in some cases friends would have taught you. These principles will help to guide you throughout life and will ensure that you do what you ought to do.
“This ceremony marks a major accomplishment in your life, but it is only the beginning, as your road to success has not been completed and in many instances has only just begun.
“Your time in high school could be considered as a tumultuous one. You see I can vividly remember that 5 years ago, your first school term was significantly delayed by the visits of Hanna and Ike, which not only took with them many of your homes and prized possessions, but also devastated your school and reshaped your expectations of what your high school experience would be like.
“I’m sure many of you loved the fact that school for most of you did not begin until October that year, but hated the fact that many of your classrooms and homes were still without power and many other basic necessities.
“It took your school many years to recover, with much more work still to be done, but despite the lack of infrastructure and other key resources, both students and teachers still persevered. That perseverance allowed you to be here today and to remain focused despite the many challenges.
“You must take that same perseverance that you have held onto over the past 5 years, with you throughout the remainder of your life and know that no matter how your circumstances may change or whatever obstacles may come your way, you must always remain resolute and determined to accomplish your goals.
“Today is only the beginning for you; where you go from here is left to you, but I ask that you order your footsteps in a way that will allow you to make a positive mark in society and in this our Beautiful By Nature Turks and Caicos Islands.
“Once again I congratulate you and look forward to hearing great things from each and every one of you going forward.”
Unlawful Entry and Drug related charges
RTC News has learned that after a thorough investigation by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, the charge of Unlawful Entry has been laid against 33-year-old Yohanna Carol-is Rodriquez and 28-year-old Wendy Margarita Vargas Bveno of the Dominican Republic. The charge of Possession of controlled drugs has also been laid against Yohanna Carolis Rodriquez.
The charges of two (2) counts of assisting illegal entry, one (1) count of Possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply and one (1) count of Possession of controlled drugs have been laid against 35-year-old Yohany Antonio Cabrel.
The charges are relating to an incident, which is alleged to have taken place on Wednesday June 26th, 2013 in Providenciales.
Cabrel, Rodriquez and Bveno are presently being detained at the detention center to appear in the Magistrate’s Court #1 tomorrow (Wednesday July 03, 2013) at 9AM to enter a plea to their respective charges.
Permits Now Required to Import Animal and Plant Products
The Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, Home Affairs and Agriculture is advising all commercial and non-commercial importers that a Permit is now required for the importation of all animal or plant products.
As of May 1, 2013, importers of products that fall under rules governing the importation of Controlled Commodities and Regulated Articles MUST apply for a permit prior to importing their goods. This requirement is in accordance with Part 5, Section 34 of both the Plant and Animal Health Ordinances 2012.
Under Part 5, section 34 (3) of both the Plant and Animal Health Ordinances 2012 “A person who imports, or attempts to import, a regulated article in contravention of this section commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for 2 years, or both.”
Import permits are integral to the Department of Agriculture’s biosecurity measures that seek to protect and safeguard the health of the people, plants, animals, and environment of the TCI.
In keeping with the Plant Health and Animal Health Ordinance (2012), The Turks and Caicos Islands Plant and Animal Health Divisions have conducted stakeholder sensitisation fora in Providenciales and Grand Turk to advise key stakeholders of the rules and regulations governing the importation of plant and animal products.
The implementation comes seven months after the November 1, 2012 enactment of the new Ordinances giving stakeholders time to familiarise themselves with the new processes. Importation of Controlled Commodities and Regulated Articles into the Turks and Caicos Islands without an import permit is an illegal importation and goods can be subject to seizure and or destruction.
CDEMA Head on Official Visit to TCI July 2 to 4
Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Mr. Ronald Jackson will visit the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) July 2 to 4, 2013, to meet with senior government officials on the implementation of Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) in the TCI’s approach to managing disasters and emergencies.
CDM is the Strategy which addresses all hazards through all phases of the Disaster Risk Management Cycle – prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery, by the public and private sectors, of civil society and the general population in hazard prone areas. It also involves risk reduction and management assessment and the integration of vulnerability assessment into the development approval planning process, with the emphasis on reducing risk.
The objective of the meeting is to raise the level of consciousness of the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands on the importance of investing in Disaster Risk Reduction in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It will seek to:
· Update the Government on their return on investment in CDEMA, that is, what CDEMA has been able to do over the period in relation to supporting the Turks and Caicos CDM Programming.
· To share the new CDM Strategy for the period 2013-2023.
Mr. Jackson’s is scheduled to meet with Ministers of Government, the Permanent Secretaries and the Director of Disaster Management and Emergencies as well as members of the National Disaster Executive.
It is expected that the mission will seek to foster a greater spirit of collaboration and cooperation with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government while broadening partnerships in areas of mutual interest as part of the Disaster Risk Reduction agenda.
Mr. Jackson will leave the islands on Thursday 4th July 2013.
Premier off to CARICOM Heads of Govt. Meeting
Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing left the island on July 2, for the 34th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Port of Spain, Trinidad from July 3 to 6, 2013.
The meeting is expected to focus on the effects of the sluggish economic climate on member states of the Caribbean Community and “the framework within which the Community can achieve growth and development” amidst the current environment, a communiqué from the Secretariat in Guyana states.
The Heads of Governments of the 18-member body and its associate membership are also scheduled to discuss issues relating to the region’s slow recovery from the global economic crises; the heavy debt burdens of some members and the effects policies by international financial institutions have had on the economies of CARICOM.
The Fact-Finding Mission to the Turks and Caicos Islands is also scheduled to present its findings at this meeting of the Heads. The Mission to the TCI was directed by the Community Council - the second highest organ of the Community- to review the situation in the territory in light of the November 2012 return to Parliamentary democracy. TCI is an associate member of CARICOM.
It is anticipated that the Heads of Governments will also explore options for a new direction for the body during this Thirty-Fourth Meeting, which marks the Community’s 40th year of existence since the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas in July 1973.
Hon. Ricardo Don Hue Gardiner, Minister for Border Control, who will be attending the 8th meeting of the International Labor Organization for Ministers of Labor, will join the Premier later. Premier Ewing will be accompanied to the CARICOM meeting by his Head of Secretariat Mr. Ronlee James.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Education Youth and Sport, Hon. Akierra Missick will act for Premier Ewing during his absence. The team will return to the island on July 7.
UK Travel Partners Dive into Turks and Caicos
Top-rated dive operators and journalists from the United Kingdom (UK) explored the pristine waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands this week, on a dive familiarization trip with the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board. This initiative was a sound venture with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, and the group is expected to visit sites there as well. The tour operators consisted of The Scuba Place, Ultimate Dive, and Dive Worldwide along with journalist from Diver Magazine and Sport Diver Magazine, the two main dive magazines in the UK.
“Diving is one of the niche markets we promote heavily in the UK,” says Traci Knight, Regional Marketing Executive (UK) for the Tourist Board. “These familiarization trips present an opportunity to some of our travel partners to explore the destination first-hand, below and above water, and enable them to better market and sell the Turks and Caicos Islands to their clients.”
Knight continues, “We’re delighted that we were also able to host journalists from the two main diving publications in the UK, who will ensure we get optimal coverage. We have a mutually beneficial relationship with these magazines; their readers learn about new and exciting places as we receive and welcome the great exposure.”
During their stay the group set out on daytime and nighttime diving excursions with Dive Provo and completed an eco-tour around the mangroves with Big Blue. They were treated to dinner each night compliments of Mango Reef, Las Brisas Restaurant and Bar, Flamingo Café and Tiki Hut. Their itinerary also included an island tour visiting the Conch Farm and the Cheshire Hall Plantation, and enjoyed a delectable lunch at Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl sampling the many varieties of conch dishes on menu. Accommodation during the trip was provided by Ports of Call Resort and Villa Renaissance.
After wrapping up their series of adventure in the Turks and Caicos, the group headed to Nassau where they will visit numerous dive sites and places of interest.
SIPT Releases Norman Benjamin Jr on Bail
In a release sent to RTC News, SIPT released that, "Norman Benjamin Saunders Jr, 44, appeared at the Magistrates Court today before Judge Hatmin charged with three counts money laundering. The matter was sent to the Supreme Court for a sufficiency hearing on 2nd August 2013. Mr Saunders was released on bail."
Following his release, Mr. Saunders sent a response to RTC News moments after leaving SIPT.
“I am shocked at the SIPT's decision to charge me. I have not committed the offenses for which they have accused me, their charges are unfair, and I will strongly contest them.
I am grateful for the messages of support that I have already received from friends, clients, and professional colleagues. My hope now is that a trial with a jury of my peers can soon proceed , so that I can put this matter behind me and my family, and so that we can return to a normal life.
I do not intend to make further statements on the matter,” said Norman Saunders, Jr.
RTC News will continue to follow this story as it develops.
17 & 21-year-old males charged with Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm
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After a thorough investigation by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police, the charge of Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm has been laid against a 17-year-old male of Kew Town and a 21-year-old male of Long Bay, Providenciales.The charge on the two males is relating to an incident, which is alleged to have taken place on Wednesday March 27th, 2013, which involved a vacationing family.
Both males were taken before the Chief Magistrate in the Magistrate’s Court #1 yesterday (Thursday June 27, 2013) each on a charge of Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm. Both males were not required to enter a plea and were both remanded in custody until the day of their Sufficiency Hearing in the Supreme Court. The Chief Magistrate has scheduled the date for that Sufficiency Hearing for Friday August 02, 2013.
Man Drowns off Shore of Front Street in Grand Turk
On Thursday June 27, 2013 a local diver, Derek Astwood recovered the body of a 43-year-old North Back Salina man who several children saw walking out to an area of water above his waist just off the shores of Front Street in Grand Turk.
The body was located in 5 feet of water.
Police Public Relations Officer Audley Astwood said the Police responded to Front Street on Grand Turk after they got a call about a person in the water around 7:12PM yesterday (Thursday June 27, 2013). At the time of the initial call for emergency assistance, the caller stated that the man was last seen above water some 15 to 20 minutes prior.
Special Constable Astwood said the man, whose name was not immediately released, said that it was reported that the man was walking in the water when he plunged into the water, and never resurfaced.
The children who witnessed this; after several minutes not seeing the man resurfaced became concerned and reported the matter to the Grand Turk Police Station.
Astwood said investigators searched all the places the man could have gone if he swam to shore, but he wasn’t at any of those locations. With darkness already setting in, it presented a challenge for the Police officers on the scene but with the aide of local diver Derek Astwood, the man’s body was found within an hour later. CPR was immediately performed on the man that was recovered from the water by a witness on the scene. Ambulance personnel took over and continued to administer CPR shortly there after while en route to the Cockburn Town Medical Center in Grand Turk. The man remained unresponsive despite the efforts of hospital personnel to resuscitate him.
He was pronounced dead by Dr. Braithwaite at 8:56PM. Foul play is not suspected and investigations are continuing.
Barbados government committed to re-shaping economy, says PM
The government of Barbados is committed to pursuing a strategy that will systematically reduce its fiscal deficit, and foster economic growth and innovation.
This assurance came on Thursday from Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, as he addressed the opening ceremony of a one-day national private/public sector consultation on the economy.
Stuart pledged that the government would work "hand in hand with the leadership in industry, labour and civil society, to create an enabling environment that re-energises the engines of growth and innovation" in the economy, and thus enhance the quality of life of Barbadians.
However, he warned that this country needed to be more competitive, more productive and committed to a much higher quality of service, stressing that this could not be achieved overnight, but would require that all concerned worked "assiduously to achieve personal and national goals".
The prime minister told the gathering of senior executives in the private and public sectors that: "We must eschew drifting into a community more concerned with highlighting what is wrong than with taking the steps necessary to put things right...Let us aim for creativity, not commonplaces; let us aim for innovation, not limitation. This is not a time for division and hollow posturing. If we work together, we will achieve and succeed together."
Recounting a number of economic realities that confronted the country, the prime minister stated that real economic growth had in fact "continued to be at worst elusive and at best anaemic". He noted that government revenues had been challenged as a result of the economic decline, as this had impacted on the earning and spending capacities of all sectors.
He pointed out that although revenues had been falling, the demand for government to maintain the social safety net had been heightened.
"Government has not been able to ignore these demands because that social safety net is, in large measure, responsible for the relative peace and stability which we enjoy and which has made Barbados continuingly attractive to foreign investors and visitors," he noted.
It was the combination of these factors, Stuart said, that has led to a fiscal deficit that was higher than the government would have liked it to be, even though it was largely incurred in the interest of social and economic stability.
He added: "As a result, government debt has risen sharply both in absolute terms and as a percentage of GDP. This has meant higher debt service expenditure both in absolute terms and as a percentage of declining government revenues. Government has been able to hold other expenditure reasonably stable over the last five years, and has tried as far as possible to restrict increase in expenditure."
The national consultation also involved representatives of the Barbados Workers' Union, the Barbados Private Sector Association, the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association and the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Central Bank of Barbados.