AG CHAMBERS’ LAND DIVISION CONDUCTS LANDS ADMINISTRATION TRAINING PROGRAMME
Seventeen members of staff within the Land Registry, Crown Land Unit and The Survey & Mapping Department were today May 10, 2013 presented with Certificates of Participation after having successfully completed the first ever local Training in Land Administration Practices and Procedures.
The course was organised by the Commissioner of Lands with funding provided by the Overseas Territory Programme Fund (OTPF) of the Foreign and Commonwealth through the Governor’s Office.
In marking the Occasion, Governor Todd said: “This training initiative aligns with the UK Government’s goal to strengthen engagement between the Overseas Territories and the UK. It is about investing in people and building the technical capacity within the islands. We will continue to identify opportunities similar to these, to increase the capacity and expertise of the TCI public services”.
The course was deemed necessary as the AG’s chambers sought to “up-skill staff, with a view to improving efficiency of both the front and back offices of these Departments”. The programme was designed to equip staff of the Lands Division with a detailed and comprehensive in-depth knowledge and understanding of certain aspects of Land Law and practices at the Land Registry and the Crown Land Unit.
The Commissioner of Lands, Mrs. Tatum Clerveaux, said: “Our vision is to put service to the customer first, and what better way to do this, than to improve the knowledge base and skill set of our staff, in order to provide a better service”.
Mrs. Clerveaux added, “The training course has provided the participants with a better understanding of how the various statutes, including the Registered Land Ordinance, Stamp Duties Ordinance and the Crown Land Ordinance and concepts of land law relate to the daily operations. Equipped this knowledge staff will be more confident and analytical in solving land related problems. This should then result in an improvement in the turnaround time of documents and transactions lodged in both the Land Registry and the Crown Land Unit.”
The Attorney General also expressed his delighted in the success of the programme and noted that this training course was just one of several initiatives that planned to develop and encourage staff within the Lands Division.
Senior manager appointed to establish Office of the Premier and Tourism
The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Office of the Premier and Ministry of Tourism is to be strengthened by the appointment of Permanent Secretary (PS) Wesley Clerveaux to oversee and develop its portfolio it was announced today, Friday, 10 May 2013.
The new joint office was set up by the Premier’s recent ministerial reshuffle. Clerveaux is to be transferred from his role as PS in the Ministry of Government Support Services (GSS) with effect from Monday, 13 May 2013.
He will be acting PS of the new office and will assist the Premier in overseeing all ministers and ministries in government, making use of his wealth of government knowledge and experience, having served several years in a range of ministries.
The permanent full-time rank and office of the senior civil servant in the Office of the Premier and Ministry of Tourism will be decided in the future.
This appointment was initiated by the Deputy Governor, Anya Williams, in consultation with Governor Ric Todd. The Premier Hon Rufus Ewing has also welcomed the move as a key aspect of his delivering on his manifesto commitments, and also to fully engage his Ministry in the budget planning process. It is the TCI Government's intention to present the budget to the House of Assembly in mid July.
Ian Astwood has been appointed as the Acting Permanent Secretary in GSS where he will be assisted by recently appointed Deputy Secretary Russell Cox.
Senior personnel changes in the Governor’s Office
Former Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Government Chief Executive Patrick Boyle has been appointed the Director of Reform and Strategy in the Governor’s Office with effect from 1 July, it was announced today, Friday 10 May 2013.
Boyle takes over the role from Philip Rushbrook who is returning to his home department in the UK Cabinet Office at the end of his secondment to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in the TCI in June.
In addition to playing a central, senior role in managing the affairs of the Governor’s Office as the Deputy Head of Mission, Boyle will also be in charge of the FCO’s substantial technical assistance programme in the TCI. He has been developing this programme of support for the continuing public sector reforms in TCIG with the head of the TCI public service, Deputy Governor, the Hon Anya Williams, since standing down as TCIG Chief Executive of the Interim Administration.
The technical assistance programme invests in the people and government of the UK’s overseas territories to develop local skills and competencies, recognising that there is not the same opportunity for personal or professional development in countries with small populations as there are in larger jurisdictions.
“I am very pleased that we are able to provide such a senior level of continuity in the Governor’s Office,” said TCI Governor Ric Todd. “At this time of handover, I must reflect upon the crucial role that Philip Rushbrook has played here in the TCI over the past two years.
“That the country would see a return to democratically elected government in 2012 was by no means certain when Philip first arrived here in the summer of 2011. During this time he worked tirelessly with our team, colleagues in TCIG and elsewhere, to progress a hugely challenging body of work to ensure there was sufficient progress made against the eight milestones in order that UK Ministers were persuaded that fresh elections could take place.
“I am sure that I speak on behalf of all of his many friends, colleagues and acquaintances here in the TCI when I simply say thank you to Philip, a dedicated and professional public servant, for all of his hard work and support to me personally and to pay tribute to his significant contribution on TCI over the past two years. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish him all of the very best on his return to his ministry in Whitehall.”
RBC ROYAL BANK LAUNCHES RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE CAMPAIGN
RBC Royal Bank this week launched an exciting mortgage campaign designed to highlight the Bank’s local mortgage expertise and reinforce RBC’s position as a trusted partner for people in the market for a new home. The campaign tagline: - ‘We will meet you almost anywhere!’, emphasizes the ability and flexibility of RBC mortgage specialists to assist clients in making their home ownership dreams a reality. During the campaign, sales teams at RBC Royal Bank will offer the flexibility to meet prospective home owners anywhere they request and at any time that is most convenient for them.
The campaign, which started on May 6th, 2013, will run until August 31st, 2013 and will feature two mortgage products, The Conventional Residential Mortgage and The Residential Lot (Land) Loan. The Conventional Residential Mortgage is designed for the purchase or construction of residential buildings which are to be owner occupied. The Residential Lot (Land) Loan is structured for the purchase of a parcel of residential land for the purpose of eventually constructing an owner-occupied home.
The campaign was launched throughout The Bahamas and in The Turks & Caicos Islands. Campaign highlights include attractive mortgage rates, reduced legal fees, and pre-approved credit cards and consumer loans. All clients who are interested in obtaining a mortgage or land loan will receive a “Pre-Qualification” certificate. This certificate allows persons to go house or property hunting with ease and a full understanding of what loan amount they can qualify for. It can also be retained as a reminder that when the client is ready their home is awaiting them through easy financing at RBC. Customers whose mortgage applications are approved during the three-month campaign period will also be automatically entered to win prizes including appliances, furniture or free mortgage payments.
Toure Holder, Area Vice President for RBC Royal Bank, says the campaign aims to communicate to prospective home owners that they can find convenience and top notch expertise at RBC. He explained: - “RBC realizes that the acquisition of a home is usually the biggest investment a person makes in their lifetime. It is an exciting time, but we also realize it can be a very stressful time. Through providing sound advice, support and convenience, RBC wants to reduce the anxiety that so often goes into such a significant undertaking of property ownership.”
Red Cross Visits Schools
The TCI Red Cross President & her team visited the schools in Grand Turk during their morning devotions.
The volunteers spoke to the students on the role of the Red Cross and how the organization was formed and how they could assist the organization.
They also highlighted hurricane preparedness and the importance of having a hurricane kit.
At the HJ Robinson High School, the Director spoke to the students as well as presented certificates to the students that assisted the TCI Red Cross during their High Tea And Fashion Show.
Building Materials Ltd also donated appliances to the home economics department.
The TCI Red Cross would like to thank all of the schools that participated in this event, Mr. Derek Been for the photograph and to all the volunteers that helped to make this day and the
organization a success. <
Appeal Court finds in Turks and Caicos Islands Government’s favour in Trade Winds case.
The Court of Appeal has today found in TCI Government’s favour, sending Trade Winds’ Court claim to be decided in arbitration.
The judgment overturns Judge Ramsey Hale’s earlier decision that the claim which had been brought against the Government ought to be heard by the Courts.
TCIG maintained that the proceedings should not be brought in Court, but in arbitration as the parties agreed.
TCIG was awarded 75% of their costs from Trade Winds.
“I am delighted that we have prevailed” said Attorney General Huw Shepheard.
“This is an excellent result, consistent with TCIG’s position in this litigation from the start. I am pleased that we have been granted most of our costs and I hope that they are paid swiftly so that we are not out of pocket in having to deal with this claim which we have said all along is without merit.”
Biden to meet with Caricom leaders
United States Vice President Joe Biden is due here for talks with Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders as part of a three-nation tour in May.
"The vice-president's visit will take place during the week commencing May 27, 2013 when he will also visit Brazil and Colombia," a statement from the Trinidad and Tobago Government said yesterday.
A White House statement, meanwhile, said that during his visit to the three countries Biden "will meet with key leaders to discuss the full range of bilateral and regional issues.
"The vice-president looks forward to meeting with Prime Minister (Kamla) Persad-Bissessar as well as leaders of other Caribbean countries, whom Prime Minister Persad Bissessar has graciously offered to invite.
"This trip will be an important chance to discuss our collective efforts to promote economic growth and development, access to energy and our ongoing collaboration on citizen security," the White House statement said, adding that Biden will be accompanied by his wife Dr Jill Biden.
The Trinidad and Tobago Government statement said that Biden will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Persad Bissessar on collaboration in a number of areas including citizen security.
"This will be followed by a meeting with regional heads who have been invited by the prime minister to discuss issues such as the collective efforts to promote economic growth, energy interdependence, and development in the Caribbean," the statement added.
Prime Minister Persad Bissessar was quoted in the statement as saying that Biden's visit underscores "the continued strengthening of diplomatic relations between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago".
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Persad Bissessar shrugged off reports that relations between Washington and Port of Spain had deteriorated, telling a public meeting of her United National Congress (UNC) that Trinidad and Tobago and United States are true friends.
Washington has maintained a stony silence on requests from the government here on whether or not former national security minister Austin 'Jack' Warner was under investigation in the United States regarding his activities as an international football executive.
The US Embassy had also issued a statement regarding the non-extradition of two businessmen, Ish Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson wanted in the United States on fraud charges relating to the Piarco International Airport development project.
US, UK & Australia share info to combat tax evasion
The tax administrations from the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom announced today a plan to share tax information involving a multitude of trusts and companies holding assets on behalf of residents in jurisdictions throughout the world.
A release from the IRS said the three nations have each acquired a substantial amount of data revealing extensive use of such entities organized in a number of jurisdictions including Singapore, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and the Cook Islands. The data contains both the identities of the individual owners of these entities, as well as the advisors who assisted in establishing the entity structure.
The IRS, Australian Tax Office and HM Revenue & Customs have been working together to analyze this data and have uncovered information that may be relevant to tax administrations of other jurisdictions. Thus, they have developed a plan for sharing the data, as well as their preliminary analysis, if requested by those other tax administrations.
“This is part of a wider effort by the IRS and other tax administrations to pursue international tax evasion,” said IRS Acting Commissioner Steven T. Miller. "Our cooperative work with the United Kingdom and Australia reflects a bigger goal of leaving no safe haven for people trying to illegally evade taxes.”
There is nothing illegal about holding assets through offshore entities. However, the IRS maintains that such offshore arrangements are often used to avoid or evade tax liabilities on income represented by the principal or on the income generated by the underlying assets. In addition, advisors may be subject to civil penalties or criminal prosecution for promoting such arrangements as a means to avoid or evade tax liability or circumvent information reporting requirements.
It is expected that this multilateral cooperation and coordinated effort will allow many countries to efficiently process this information and effectively enforce any laws that may have been broken. Increasingly, tax administrations are working together in this way to assist one another in identifying non-compliance with the tax laws.
The IRS warns US taxpayers holding assets through offshore entities are encouraged to review their tax obligations with respect to these holdings, seek professional advice if necessary, and to participate in the IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program where appropriate. Failure to do so may result in significant penalties and possibly criminal prosecution.
Good news for Olint investors
Positive news yesterday emerged out of the United States for persons who have lost money in Olint, operated by once-respected Jamaican currency trader David Smith.
The US Department of Justice, in a press release, advised persons who lost money in the scheme to make a claim for compensation.
"Persons who lost money from investments in companies operated by David A Smith, doing business as Overseas Locket International Corporation (OLINT), and related companies may be eligible to receive compensation from the United States Government," said the release.
Smith claimed that the companies were private investment clubs that traded in foreign currency on investors' behalf, and that members would expect high returns on their investment with low risk to their principal.
However, Smith, instead of investing the funds as promised, used them for personal gain and paid returns using new investors' money.
He was convicted in the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida in September 2011 on multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering. As part of his criminal sentence, Smith was ordered to forfeit assets seized by federal authorities.
Yesterday, the US Justice Department said in its press release that "the forfeited funds will be returned to victims of the scheme through a process called remission. To be considered for remission, a Petition for Remission Form must be submitted to the Remission Administrator".
Smith, who operated the scheme in Jamaica, The Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States is facing several lawsuits from those seeking compensation.
St.Monica's took a slice of Paradise in last night's softball match up.
Softball continued last night in the Churches' league in Providenciales.
Game 1 saw Monica's winning by a slim margin 15 to 14 over Paradise Baptist. Shervin Penn was the top scorer in last night game.
In Game 2 Prophecy Church defeated the Abundant Life Ministries Int'l 9 to 8 to take game 2 .
Games will continue on Thursday at 6:30 at the National Stadium with Abundant Life VS Jericho Baptist and Methodist Church taking on Bethany Church.
Rtc Sports will have highlights on those games on Thursday.