JANUARY 21ST, 2017 – JANUARY 28TH, 2017
VOLUME 13 - NO. 03
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CARNIVAL CRUISE CENTRE HAS SERIOUS CONCERNS Premier addresses problems at Grand Turk Cruise Line
T
By Todeline Defralien
he Carnival Cruise Centre, which is the main tourist attraction and the economic engine of Grand Turk, is faced with some very serious concerns that have caused declining passenger and ship numbers and engaged the attention of Premier Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson. Addressing the first official press conference of the People’s Democratic Movement’s (PDM) Cabinet, on Wednesday, January 18th, 2017, the Premier said that one of the pressing issues raised in Grand Turk when they held the first town hall-style meeting was “what appears to be contentious between Carnival and those vendors”. She said: “We’ve had a very successful meeting and we’ve had a strong attendance. We believe that we’ve reached a wonderful place actually where both Government and vendors realize the industry and appreciate the importance of the cruise ship industry to the island of Grand Turk. I am pleased to report that I will also be sitting with Carnival representatives on Monday to address a way forward. It is critical that we resolve some of the issues that we understand to have been brewing between vendors and guests and even vendors and Carnival operators.” The Premier told reporters it appears that there have been several concerns particularly as it relates to the harassment of guests, adding that she was concerned about the fact that there was the “decline in numbers and there was no attention being paid to it”. She added: “We hope that they will understand that we are a Government that is prepared to engage and that we are committed to the industry and to address the challenges head on instead of hoping that they disappear.” Continued on Page 2
New Fire Truck Commissioned at South Caicos Airport The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority on Thursday commissioned a new rescue and fire fighting vehicle. The commissioning ceremony took place at the South Caicos Airport in the presence of government officials, and the authority’s directors, management and staff. The vehicle was procured to boost the airport’s operating capacity in advance of the multimillion dollars upgrade to the airport runway and terminal building. The entire project forms part of the Turks and Caicos Islands government’s commitment to improve the aviation infrastructure in the nation. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Airports Authority CEO Mr. John Smith said “the presence of the fire truck in
South Caicos signals the Authority’s commitment to the people of South Caicos and that this achievement is not the work of one individual, but by a group of people that we would like to acknowledge collectively.” Mr. Smith thanked that staff, management team and board members of the Airports Authority for their tireless work to keep the organization growing. The chairman of the board, Mr. Gordon Burton, in his remarks admonished the firefighters to take good care of their new equipment as South Caicos is at the cusp of taking off. The Honorable Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson spoke at the event and reiterated her government’s intention to supply all that is needed to facilitate
the local community as well as the business community which she hopes will soon grow. She remarked “I am happy for the people of South Caicos because when they leaned on us, we leaned on them. There has been frustrating months and years and we are happy that that may have come to an end.” The fire truck arrived in South Caicos two weeks ago, but was ceremoniously handed over today by Maureen Allen, a representative of the manufacturer. Training for the vehicle operators and maintenance team will continue for the next week before the vehicle is entered into operations. Premier Hon. Sharlene Cartwright -Robinson and officials from the Turks and Caicos Airport Authority.
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