VOLUME 12 - NO. 25
JUNE 25TH, 2016 – JULY 2ND, 2016
Website: www.suntci.com
Email: sun@suntci.com
Tel: (649) 339-5879
$1.00
Fax: (649) 941-3281
www.facebook.com/tcisun
BIG CONTROVERSY OVER SOUTH DOCK DREDGING by Hayden Boyce Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Tumble Totz graduating class of 2016
A
lthough Cabinet has given approval for much-needed emergency dredging of the South Dock Port in Providenciales, the stubborn attitude towards the matter by Dr. John Claydon, the recently appointed Director of the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) is being cited as a serious obstacle to progress and having an adverse effect on commerce in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Investigations by The SUN revealed that Dr. Claydon is insisting that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) be done, although there is every indication that this is not necessary, and despite strident calls from the country’s leading supermarket and number one shipper to get the dredging done urgently. According to documents obtained by this newspaper, in May 2016, Mr. Carl Simons, the CEO of Tropical Shipping wrote to Governor Peter Beckingham, Finance Minister Hon. Washington Misick and other Government officials complaining about “the very serious matter that needs the government’s immediate attention as it relates to the lack of sufficient depth of water to accommodate cargo vessels at the port of Provo”. Simons stated: “The TCI Ports Authority has received several correspondence from us about this matter over the past several years. However, there is the constant reply that they are awaiting the EEI Study to be completed. How long does it take to get this done? Several complaints has been filed by vessel operators about the shallow draft and heavy silting of mud, sludge and debris at the port. Also there is an area called the HUMP that is very close to the southwest sector of the seaport that is an obstacle to all Mariners when docking vessels. We are appealing to the TCIG to have the HUMP removed as a matter of urgency so that cargo vessels can safely maneuver at the Provo port.” He continued: “The Turks and Caicos Islands are preparing
S
ixteen students graduated for the class of 2016 from the Tumble Totz Daycare and Learning Centre, with valedictorian and salutatorian being Yamileidy Garcia and Wendell Baptiste. Tumble Totz hosted their 3rd Annual graduation and prize giving ceremony on Thursday June 23rd at the Paradise Baptise Church, Five Cays in Providenciales under the
for Hurricane Season and it’s very concerning that should these islands experience a hurricane disaster and there is a need for vessels to dock to assist with recovery efforts, and the vessels are unable to dock, because there are obstacles at the port should be removed prior to the event of a disaster. The unfortunate situation is that there is not an alternative port in Provo to dock a vessel should the South Dock Port be destroyed or damaged. The question is, why is the EEI taking so very long? Does the TCIG realize
Mike Misick called for referendum in TCI - Page 2
Dolphin Cove study is flawed - Page 6
$6million to be spent on roads, says Amanda Misick - Page 4
QC Andrew Mitchell says freezing Misick’s pension is legal - Page 17
theme “Climbing to success”. The students graduating were Yamiledy Garcia, Wendell Baptise, Jeallia Toussaint, Tiara Russell, Christy Joseph, Jeffrey Gustave, Cherline Dolne, Julien Garcia, Cerlange Perceus, Jelecia Forbes, Leyvin Jimenez, Orvena Hamilton, La’Niyah Garland, Harecson Julmiste, Jordian Pierre and Dyneson Romenus.
that the port of Provo is one of the key economic drivers to these Islands’ growth and development? Is the TCIG going to wait for an EEI study to be completed and jeopardize the imports that the lives of its people depend on? Should the EEI study recommend that the dredging should not be done, what would be the next process?” The SUN also obtained a copy of a letter written by Ken Burns, the general manager of IGA, calling for urgent action to be taken with respect to dredging at the dock.
The May 31st, 2016 letter from Mr. Burns stated: “It was rather refreshing to have learned that the TCI Government has budgeted and is contemplating the much needed infrastructural upgrades to the South Dock Port in Providenciales. Being the port that is the “Life-Line” to the country, handling and receiving the majority of ocean cargo, it is important that the overall facility if safe and functional and the required international standard are met and maintained.”