TCIG APPOINTS MICHAEL ROBINSON AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ESTATES
PRESS RELEASE
TCIG APPOINTS MICHAEL ROBINSON AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ESTATES
The Office of the Deputy Governor is pleased to congratulate Mr. Michael Robinson on his appointment to the role of Deputy Director of Estates within the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Mr. Robinson holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, and a Associates Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology from Midlands Technical College, also in Columbia, South Carolina.
After completing his studies, Mr. Robinson interned at the State Medical Hospital in Columbia, SC. He was then employed as a Chemical Laboratory Technician at Monsanto Electronics in Woodruff, SC then at Lenscrafters in Spartanburg, SC. He later gained the position of Supervisor to Manufacturing Manager at Siemens Energy and Automation in Spartanburg, SC.
After returning home to the Turks & Caicos he worked as the General Manager responsible for setting up and running operations for Tasty Delights (Froots), Grand Turk Manager for Digicel TCI and then the Health and Environmental Safety and Security (HESS) Assistant Manager at the Grand Turk Cruise Centre in Grand Turk.
Commenting on his excitement to perform within his new capacity, Mr. Robinson stated; "In this capacity, I am able to utilize and call upon a vast and extensive background in Facilities Management, Space Utilization, Facilities Health and Safety Codes, Policies, and compliance. Since my return, prior to joining the Civil Service, I saw many opportunities for growth and development in the areas of Health and Safety throughout both the Public and Private sectors. I am delighted that I am in a position where I can use my knowledge and experience for the good of not only my fellow Civil Servants, but my country in these areas."
Deputy Governor Anya Williams in congratulations said; "We are pleased to add Mr. Robinson and his particular set of skills to the TCIG team. We expect great things of Mr. Robinson in his new role and we will continue to work towards the goal of recruiting the most talented of human resources to the civil service which will only improve our overall product."
First black Miss Universe Great Britain!
The first black woman to be crowned Miss Universe Great Britain in the pageant's 66-year history has called it "a great achievement".
Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers has told Newsbeat competing was "the best experience of my life".
Miss Universe GB selects Britain's representative for the Miss Universe contest.
Dee-Ann will now go on to represent Great Britain in the 67th Miss Universe pageant later this year.
"I've come to the realisation that I've not only won the pageant as Dee-Ann, but as a black woman," she says.
The 25-year-old from Anguilla, a British overseas territory, says she's received several humbling messages since winning the pageant, including those from mothers on behalf of their daughters.
"Some individuals have reached out to me in a personal capacity just to say that my win feels like a win for them.
"As it got closer to the competition, I started to feel the magnitude of what this could mean if I were to get the crown, not just for black women, but for Great Britain as a whole."
SOURCE -BBC NEWS
Weather Forecast 18th July, 2018
BAHAMAS AND TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS PUBLIC FORECAST
THIS IS A PUBLIC FORECAST FOR TUESDAY 18TH JULY 2018 ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY
GENERAL SITUATION: HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE ALONG WITH SAHARA DUST EXTEND FROM THE CENTRAL ATLANTIC OCEAN ACROSS THE BAHAMAS AS A TROPICAL WAVE EXITS WEST OF THE AREA.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: BOATERS SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT FOR POSSIBLE WATERSPOUT DEVELOPMENT TONIGHT THROUGH TOMORROW WHILE BEACH GOERS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION DUE TO THE HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG EASTERN SHORELINES.
SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS INCLUDING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
NORTHWEST BAHAMAS
WEATHER: MOSTLY FAIR, HUMID AND WARM TONIGHT EXCEPT FOR FEW LINGERING SHOWERS OR A THUNDERSTORM NEAR THE EXTREME NORTHWEST BAHAMAS. PARTLY SUNNY, HOT AND STEAMY TOMORROW WITH FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED.
ADVISORY: BOATERS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS, FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES MAINLY ACROSS THE EXTREME NORTHWEST BAHAMAS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN BUT AROUND 1 TO 3 FEET AT TIMES IN THE EXTREME NORTHWEST BAHAMAS.
CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS INCLUDING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY TO FAIR SKIES, BREEZY AND WARM WITH THE CHANCE OF AN ISOLATED SHOWER TONIGHT. PARTLY SUNNY, BREEZY AND HOT TOMORROW WITH A PASSING SHOWER OR TWO LIKELY.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS INCLUDING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE:
77 °F 25 °C
HEAT INDEX FOR TOMORROW
106 °F 41°C
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE: 92°F 33°C
SUNSET: 7:59 PM SUNRISE: 6:31 AM WED
MOONSET: 11:54 PM MOONRISE: 12:15 PM WED
HIGH TIDE: 11:33 PM & 12:11 PM WED
LOW TIDE: 6:00 AM WED & 6:25 PM WED
SOURCE- DDME TCI
The Premier Responds to the Leader of the Opposition
The Premier Hon Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson states that “The once trusted word of Leader of the Opposition, Hon C.Washington Missick is truly now a thing of the past. His recent statement concerning “negotiations” between the Government and Fortis is not only misleading, it is blatantly untrue.”
Following on from last week’s Budget Wrap Up Address by the Premier and Minister of Finance where she laid several documents that disproved a number of allegations levied against her by the Leader of the Opposition, Premier Robinson says, “Correcting statements made by the Leader of the Opposition is now becoming commonplace.” Premier Robinson said that, “One would think after having his statements made in the House of Assembly rubbished and his alternative facts exposed and corrected on record, one would expect Hon Misick to be less reckless with the truth.”
“I can say to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands that I met with the Fortis Team and can confirm that no such decision has been made by my Government. Hon Misick attributes his comments to a source from Fortis TCI and I am hard pressed to believe that a representative of Fortis would do so. There are no concluded negotiations with Fortis. There is a process underway and I encourage the public to be a part of the process when the opportunity arises. I am again disappointed that the Leader of the Opposition has now chosen this style of politics where his word cannot be trusted.”
Turks and Caicos Islands Post Cabinet Meeting Statement
His Excellency the Governor, Dr John Freeman, chaired the 15th meeting of the Cabinet on Monday, 9 July 2018, at the Hon. Hilly Ewing Building on Providenciales, in the presence of all Ministers.
Cabinet at this meeting:-
- Approved the waiver of customs storage fees on personal effects imported by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Shiraz Aziz, in accordance with Regulation 4 of the Customs (Government Transit Shed and Queen’s Warehouse Rent) ( Amendment) Regulations 2016;
- Approved the appointments of the Rev. Claire Robinson and Mr. Mervin Cox to the TCI National Hurricane Recovery Task Force (NRTF) as representatives of the clergy and private sector respectively. Cabinet further agreed that the Director of Health Services should be appointed as an ex-officio member of the NRTF;
- Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the appointments of Mr. Robert Stubbs as Chairman of the National Health Insurance Board (NHIB) with effect from 1 August 2018 and Mr. Leonardo Ralph Patrick as a Member of the NHIB with effect from 14 July 2018 in accordance with Section 16 (1) of the National Health Insurance Amendment) Ordinance 2017;
- Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve, for forwarding to the House of Assembly for approval, the following Bills to ensure TCI’s compliance with Financial Action Task Force recommendations to meet international standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing – Banking Amendment Bill 2018; Financial Services Commission (Amendment) Bill 2018; Companies (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2018; Prevention of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2018; Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2018; Financial Intelligence Agency (Amendment) Bill 2018; Customs (Amendment) Bill 2018; Miscellaneous (Amendment) (Offences) Bill 2018;
- CABINET Endorsed proposals by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning to standardise the TCIG vehicle fleet;
- It Approved, subject to budgetary provision having been made, the draft Agriculture Policy Implementation Plan as the official document to guide agricultural development in TCI;
- CABINET noted an information paper from the Hon. Deputy Premier and Minister for Border Control and Employment on a proposed partnership agreement between the Ministry of Border Control and Employment and the Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture and Library Services to promote the employment of TC Islanders returning to TCI after completion of their studies;
- There was a discussion at Monday’s Cabinet meeting on the state of progress on the Lighthouse Road project on Grand Turk which it was agreed the Hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning would take forward with his Ministry;
- CABINET received an up-date by the Hon Deputy Premier on the political situation and unrest in Haiti and possible implications for TCI;
- The Hon. Premier up-dated Cabinet on her discussion with the Prime Minister of the Bahamas on the situation in Haiti;
- The Hon. Minister of Tourism, Environment, Heritage and Gaming asked about banking services on North and Middle Caicos and called for steps to hasten the establishment of banking facilities there;
- The Hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning up-dated Cabinet on measures to address the problems of water supply on Grand Turk. The Hon. Premier asked the Hon. Minister to bring a full up-date on the situation to the next meeting of Cabinet;
- Her Excellency the Deputy Governor reported that during their recent visit to TCI to asses possible UK military assistance in the event of another hurricane hitting TCI, the UK’s Military Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) team had highlighted serious concerns about water supply and reserve stocks of water across TCI during this hurricane season;
- His Excellency the Governor confirmed that Cabinet had approved by round-robin the following – the re-appointment of members of the Public Health and Environment Board; proposals put forward by the Ministry of Education on TCI Internship Policy; and a request by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication to draw funding for HM Prison from the Contingency Fund;
Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course
Government Receives application for Rate Increase by Fortis
Local News 13th July, 2018
The Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, Premier and Minister of Finance has confirmed that the Government has received an application from Fortis for a rate increase under the Electricity Ordinance.
The premier noted in a press release this evening that under section 34 of the Ordinance, a public supplier may make such an application for consideration by the Government which the Government is required to consider – in accordance with the procedure set out in the Ordinance. She said the process requires due consideration of the financial representations made by the public supplier as well as the implications on the public, on the basis of technical advice, and could last up to twelve or more weeks to take steps that have to be followed under the Ordinance.
“The Government respects the legislative process catered for under the Ordinance and will give due consideration to the application in the context of relevant technical advice, balancing the interests of the public supplier and the needs of the various sectors of the community at large,” said the Hon. Premier.
Hon. Cartwright Robinson noted the process under the Ordinance has built in safeguards to ensure that all interested persons have an opportunity to make representations in the process.
Grace Bay Wins again!
A perennial Traveler’s Choice, Beaches winner, Grace Bay, is famous for its long stretch of soft white sand and beautiful blue water.
We rented the Reef Beach house on Grace Bay with 2 other couples were blown away. We walked out the back door to the beach, put on our masks and started snorkeling. Beautiful clear blue water like I’ve never seen. Walked to Turtle Cove for restaurants and bars. Sail to Iguana Island was Sublime, stopped and snorkeled along the way. Did not want to come home.
The beach, Grace Bay easily rivals the beaches in French Polynesia… and it’s so much easier to get to. Only 3 hours from New York… I highly recommend this beach as a vacation choice, you will not be disappointed.
An outstanding beach. The soft sand and great sunset views is worth the trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands. It’s all here. Resorts, shops, restaurants and water sports.
If you stay at 7 stars check in with Shaquan down on the beach taking care of the water sports. Awesome guy. Take a kayak or a catamaran ride. Brilliant. The colours of the water here are beyond compare!
Team TCI Prepares to Attend the 19th Annual John T. Memorial Cycling Classic in Anguilla.
Providenciales, July 12th, 2018: Five cyclists will be representing the Turks and Caicos Islands at the 19th Annual John T. Memorial Cycling Classic in Anguialla on July 15th.
Shanwell Gardiner and Kavin Ewing will compete in the 66 mile Masters category. Tyrone Bishop and Friedise Registre will compete in the 86 mile Elite category. Ethan Gardiner, our reigning kids Champ, who has won all the kids races in the 2017 season and the 2018 season so far, will make his international racing debut in the Kids Category. He is very anxious to test his skills against other cyclists in his category.
This marks the second time the Turks and Caicos will have representation at this event. A four man team attended the 18th annual last year, with Shanwell placing 12th and Kavin placing 15th in the Masters category of 47 riders.
Members of the team were selected via the point ranking system. The Point system, was established to rank cyclists in the Turks and Caicos and to make the selection of cyclists representing the TCI in regional and international competitions more accurate and efficient. Team members are the top ranking in their categories.
We wish to thank the following sponsors for making this trip possible: Hon Galmo Williams of the Wine cellar, Mr. Stewart Howard of British Caribbean Bank, Turks and Caicos Government Sports Department and the Commonwealth Association.
OFFICIAL VISIT OF ORDNANCE SURVEY TO THE TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
In response to the Survey and Mapping Department's request for Land Surveying support, Mr Malcolm Havercroft, Director of Operations at Ordnance Survey International, made an official visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands from the 3rd to 5th July 2018. The visit aimed to further foster the friendly relations and strengthen cooperation between the Survey and Mapping Department and this international state agency, responsible for Survey and Mapping throughout the United Kingdom.
The long-awaited visit commenced with a brief meeting with the Senior Management team from the Lands Division, where a presentation was made on the TCI's geodetic network and referencing system, and ideas were shared on how to improve the geodetic infrastructure and forge partnerships with other regional and international agencies.
At the end of the meeting, Mr Havercroft was given a tour of the Survey and Mapping Department where he had the opportunity to review some of the department's operational procedures. He was particularly impressed with the department's methodology for preserving the Land Registry's Index Map and their intent to migrate to a fully digitized system. Mr. Havercroft also visited a number of the islands' surveying control monuments and the surveying base station in Grand Turk.
According to Mr Cyprian Smith, Director, Survey and Mapping Department; "I am very elated by the positive response from Ordnance Survey, which has resulted in Mr Havercroft's visit today and I believe this is the beginning of a new relationship that must be fostered and a step in the right direction. It is imperative that we maintain an open line of communication, in order for us to grow as a department and to develop our local talent."
SOURCE - TCIG Press Office
Turks and Caicos Darts Team wins first match!
Sports News 12th July, 2018
The Turks and Caicos Islands National Darts Team is currently participating in the: 9th WDF Americas Cup & 22nd Caribbean Cup Darts Championships in Trinidad & Tobago and has won their first team match vs Brazil in the Caribbean Cup!
Go Team TCI!