TC Weekly News April 6 - 12, 2021

Weekly News Volume 35 | No. 14 | April 6-12, 2021

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STIMULUS CHEQUES ROLLOUT A SUCCESS

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Over 90 percent of approved applicants have received their Government issued $1,000 stimulus cheques, according to Deputy Premier Hon. Erwin Jay Saunders.

SOCIAL GATHERINGS OF UP TO 30 PEOPLE NOW ALLOWED PAGE  4

The rollout of the stimulus cheques triggered major traffic jams in Downtown, Providenciales

FOURTH QUARTER TOURIST ARRIVALS SHOW PROMISE AMID PANDEMIC PAGE  7

RESIDENTS CONCERNED OVER RITZ-CARLTON CONSTRUCTION SITE DEBRIS PAGE  12

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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Social gatherings of up to 30 people now allowed

BY OLIVIA ROSE Residents can gather in groups of up to 30 at home or at the beach, Deputy Premier Hon. Erwin Jay Saunders has announced.

The Minister of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services, revealed a string of updated measures during a press conference on Wednesday, March 31.

“There were no social gatherings before,” he said. “Now we’re going to allow a social gathering of up to 30 persons.

“So, if you want to have a birthday party at home or go to the beach you can have that, but it’s up to 30 persons.”

The new measures came into effect on Friday, April 2, and will continue until June 30, when they will be reassessed.

In his announcement, Saunders revealed that the territory’s 11pm to 5am curfew will be extended until June 30.

During this time all businesses, including supermarkets, restaurants and bars, must close by 10pm.

He said sit-down bars and restaurants both indoors and outdoors are limited to 30 percent of normal capacity; reminding that congregating around counters is not allowed.

“You’re not supposed to be at the bar counter with three and four persons congregating...buy your drinks and move to a table outside,” Saunders explained.

Meanwhile, the maximum capacities for churches, weddings, funerals and pleasure crafts have

Hon. Erwin Jay Saunders, Minister of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services (Screenshot/TCI Health Promotions and Advocacy)

all been increased.

The health minister said the Government is keen to ensure that people are able to worship.

“Religious places of worship can now have 30 percent of their normal capacity indoors and up to 50 persons outdoors and that goes for regular service, weddings and funerals.”

Pleasure crafts can carry up to 50 percent of their normal capacity, except for boats that have a capacity of less than 10 people, which are now allowed to carry up to six. “…but you’re going to have to keep a logbook of the passengers

Published by Turks & Caicos News Company Ltd. Cheshire House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales P.O. Box 52, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI W. Blythe Duncanson - Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Bird - News Editor (At Large) Olivia Rose - Senior Reporter Faizool Deo - Sports Editor (At Large) Cord Garrido-Lowe - Graphics Consultant (At Large) Dilletha Lightbourne-Williams - Office Manager Email: (Advertising) tcnews@tciway.tc, (News) tcweeklynews@gmail.com Tel. 649-946-4664 (office), 649-232-3508 (after hours) Website address: www.tcweeklynews.com Follow us on: Facebook: facebook.com/tcweeklynews Twitter: twitter.com/tcweeklynews1 Instagram: @tcweeklynews1

and we’re encouraging people to do temperature checks,” Saunders said.

The health minister said the Government is pushing for residents to get vaccinated in

an effort to rid the TCI of the coronavirus and restrictions implemented to curb its spread.

“We can see the benefits of vaccination - it’s the best way to keep people safe. So subject to

100 percent of your staff being vaccinated, restaurants and bars will be able to increase their occupancy to 60 percent.”

Saunders explained that if taxi drivers are vaccinated they will be allowed to increase their passengers from three people to 50 percent of their normal capacity.

“If the vaccination rate goes up and gets close to 80 percent vaccinations, as quickly as possible we can revisit these measures.

“But these are the measures that we are going to keep in place until we start to achieve better vaccinations,” he said.

The health minister said health facilities are still strained, but there is an improvement from the former 150 percent capacity to now 100 percent at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre.

Saunders added that the Government has already resolved the oxygen deficit to ensure enough oxygen for patients in the hospitals.

He urged the TCI residents to comply with the Covid-19 rules to help bring the virus numbers down and open the economy as soon as possible.

SIPT lead prosecutor gets general admission to TCI Bar

BY DELANA ISLES Andrew Mitchell, Queen’s Counsel and lead prosecutor in the SIPT corruption case, has been granted full admission to the TCI Bar and can now practice law in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The news was delivered in court on Tuesday, March 30, by Chief Justice Mabel Agyemang during a virtual sitting for her decision.

The chief justice found that Mitchell met the requirements for general admission to the local bar.

However, some restrictions have been placed on his practise.

On March 22 Mitchell was granted limited admission to the bar to prosecute the SIPT case that is now going through a number of preliminary hearings before the chief justice.

Agyemang said that Mitchell’s general admission will only take effect after the case(s) he has limited admission for, have been completed.

In her ruling she also touched on the opposition mounted by the TCI Bar Council to Mitchell’s application.

She stated that in their strong opposition to the application, the issues raised did not touch on Mitchell’s character, neither were

SIPT prosecutor Andrew Mitchell can now practice law in the TCI (LinkedIn)

there suggestions or stated facts about unsavoury practices or shady work in relation to the British attorney.

The council’s main objection

centred on the training Mitchell had received through the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution which qualified him for full access to the local bar.

April 6-12, 2021

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90% of approved applicants have stimulus cheques

BY OLIVIA ROSE Over 90 percent of approved applicants have received their Government issued $1,000 stimulus cheques, according to Deputy Premier Hon. Erwin Jay Saunders.

“There have been a few persons who called up and said they didn’t get it, but I want to be the first to say we know that the process wasn’t perfect - but a number of persons, we believe well over 90 percent, got their cheques on time,” he said on Wednesday, March 31.

His remarks came five days after the Government began the release of its Citizen Relief Stimulus cheques to eligible applicants on March 26.

The rollout of the stimulus distribution triggered major traffic jams in Downtown, Providenciales, as residents turned out in huge numbers at Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex and the Treasury office where cheques were dispersed.

The deputy premier explained that some kinks are being worked out as distribution continues, adding that a tremendous amount of effort has gone into ensuring residents receive their cheques in a timely manner.

During a Ministry of Health live streamed press briefing, he said: “It doesn’t mean that those who didn’t get their cheques by the end of today [Wednesday] are not going to get it.

“You’re still going to get it. We

weren’t aiming for perfect, we were aiming for speed and to help out the most persons in the shortest period of time and we certainly achieved that.”

The distribution exercise resumed on Tuesday, April 6, following the Easter holidays.

To access the Citizen Relief Stimulus cheque, approved applicants must provide a valid TCI Government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s licence, NIB card, NHIP card, BOTC passport or a TCI status card.

They must also bring a copy of their application number and appear in person at the cheque issuance location.

Cheques will not be assigned to a bank or issued to individuals other than the approved applicant.

MORE STIMULUS Saunders said there is no certainty of another stimulus in the near future, however he promised that the Government will continue to help the public through these difficult times.

He stressed that the Government has to be cautious with its spending in the event of another lockdown.

“We can’t just bankrupt the country, but if people are hurting we will find a way to help them,” he said.

The deputy premier explained that if people get vaccinated and the economy is opened up “and we bounce back as quickly as possible”, there will be no need for a second stimulus.

“If we have another wave of this

Residents stand in long lines at Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex to collect stimulus cheques (Olivia Rose/TC Weekly News)

The rollout of the stimulus cheques triggered major traffic jams in Downtown, Providenciales (Olivia Rose/TC Weekly News)

virus come and we kind of have a semi-lockdown for a long period of time and people can’t get back to normalcy we would help people again,” he added.

“We don’t sit down and say

we’re going to do a second stimulus or a third stimulus because we don’t think of it that way.

“If persons need help we will help them and if we find out in two months that people still need

help, we will help them - subject to availability of funds.”

The $11 million Citizen Relief Stimulus was approved by the newly-elected Progressive National Party (PNP) Government.

Shelters get overhaul to prepare for new hurricane season Several Government owned hurricane shelters have been refurbished and outfitted with standby generators, it was revealed in the House of Assembly last week.

Akierra Missick, Minister of Infrastructure, Housing, Planning and Development, gave an update on the TCI’s hurricane readiness during her ministerial speech on Tuesday, March 30.

She said she and her team participated in the first National Hurricane Preparedness meeting on March 9.

As a result, the Public Works Department has begun to prepare the required checklist of works to be carried out for this year’s hurricane season - again predicted to be very active.

“As a part of that checklist, our team has already completed the inspection of all shelters,” Missick said.

She said refurbishment and the purchase of standby generators for some shelters was enabled by a “generous donation” from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The other Government approved and private shelters require minor repair works, which are being scoped and prepared to be sent through the Public Procurement Process for quotations.

“It is our intention to procure fire extinguishers (which are a requirement) for all of our shelters in the new financial year,” the minister said.

As a result of the protocols put in place

by the Ministry of Health, additional washing stations and automatic hand sanitising machines are being bought for the all shelters.

The department is in the process of obtaining new satellite phones and handheld radios for offices throughout the islands, Missick said.

“These would ensure that we are able to be in contact with staff during and following the passage of a storm.”

The Public Works Department has also bought several pieces of heavy equipment, including a tractor, portable fuel tanks, verge cutters and mulching machines.

“This equipment should be in country

by July and would not only assist us in times of disaster, but would be a welcomed

addition for our maintenance team,” the minister said.

The team is finalising some additional works for a number of schools around the territory which should be complete for reopening after the Easter break.

AccuWeather’s team of tropical weather experts, led by veteran meteorologist Dan Kottlowski, predict that the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season will result in 16 to 20 named storms, including seven to 10 hurricanes.

Of the storms projected to reach hurricane strength, three to five are predicted to become major hurricanes (category three or higher storms that have maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph).

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Minister plans to redevelop ‘deplorable’ prison facility

BY REBECCA BIRD Home affairs minister Otis Chuck Morris said his ministry is immediately seeking to bid in the budget for the redevelopment of infrastructure at Her Majesty’s Prison Grand Turk.

Works will address the facility’s collapsing buildings, dysfunctional sewers and condemned water cisterns and facilities, he said in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, March 30.

Morris told members that improvements to the structural security will allow management to fully focus on the rehabilitation and reform programmes that are critically needed.

“These programmes, would foster, cement and support a spirit of hope in prisoners and the desire to be better, more productive citizens in our communities,” he said.

“This is possible, and I am confident that two years from now this institution will be an effective

institution for reform and change.”

The prison’s crumbling infrastructure has long been a subject of concern.

In November 2018, Sabrina Green, Director of the TCI Human Rights Commission, said HMP Grand Turk was “not fit for human habitation” and should be condemned.

She said it breached several UN standards and inmates had been “dehumanised” by poor living conditions leaving little room for rehabilitation.

Green added that a modern prison should be built in its place with appropriate resources made available for rehabilitation.

During his ministerial address last week, Morris spoke passionately about the prison, which he had visited just a week earlier, on March 23 and 25.

“I am aware that the prison has recently emerged from a period of grave instability, and it is certainly now in a much better place, but this sense of stability remains fragile,”

Home affairs minister Otis Chuck Morris (third left) at Her Majesty’s Prison Grand Turk (TCI Government)

he said.

“Not least of all because of the very nature of the business, but also due to the absolutely critical need for the immediate rehabilitation of the facilities, and the urgent improvement to the state of living of those we have responsibility and care for.”

He said he is constantly reminded of the words of the late Nelson Mandela, who stated, “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.”

“Based on that rule, and the deplorable state of HMP, we would certainly be judged very harshly as a nation,” Morris said.

“Indeed, words such as inhumane, cruel and unjust are just some of the labels that would come to mind, and we would be known as a nation that has no heart for the most vulnerable of our citizens.”

He said there are some people who would deem this a fitting environment for offenders and those who seek to terrorise local communities.

But he added that “we must forever be reminded that, these are very own sons and daughters, our siblings, our nieces and our nephews”.

“While we support a system of justice for their actions, we should want that to be in an environment that promotes and supports the opportunities for their full rehabilitation and reform.

“Because the fact is, prisoners will one day re-enter society and when they do, they become our neighbours, our in-laws and our colleagues, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they have the greatest potential for success once they have resettled.

“This is only possible if we do

what is right, and we must do it, if for no other reason than the fact that prisoners too are human beings and should be treated as such.”

Morris thanked new Prison Superintendent David Bowden and his staff for the daily work that they do to maintain stability and control of the prison, and for their care of the inmates.

He also acknowledged Governor Nigel Dakin, Premier Charles Washington Misick, the Deputy Speaker and his ministerial colleagues for their support and interest in the prison.

“But having visited the prison twice now, I must also commend the prisoners themselves, for the efforts that they too are making to help ensure that the institution is a safe and calm environment, which would allow for the eventual and successful rehabilitation and resettlement of offenders.”

Critical services are suffering from lack of investment, says minister Corroded fire engines, an inefficient water network, an unsecure postal service and unstable communications are all the result of a lack of investment, according to Otis Chuck Morris.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Public Utilities and Transportation called out the former Government in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, March 30, during his ministerial speech. “…it is blaringly obvious that the departments are suffering from a consistent lack of investment over the years,” he told members of the House.

“And while some might argue that they did not fall within successive governments’ priorities…I would argue that this ministry is the critical and essential network of any safe, functional and productive society.”

He said critical services include the domestic fire service, water, energy and utilities, postal services, communications, road safety, the Government’s publishers and supplies stores.

They form infrastructural support

systems that should never be neglected and ignored, he said, due to the profound risk doing so presents to communities and the lives of citizens.

Morris listed specific failings in the critical services as: -Two corroded and severely damaged fire engines that have been deemed unfit for operation when carrying a load of 500 gallons.

-No fire halls, neither in the nation’s capital of Grand Turk, nor in the nation’s economic capital, Providenciales, which leaves equipment in the exposure of the elements, and officers displaced and challenged in their response times in firefighting.

-An inefficient, incomplete and fragile water network, which leaves many unconnected to the water mains, and those connected with lower performance standards and an expensive operation for the generation of water.

-Obsolete and outdated printing equipment in the Government Publishing Department which limits the true potential

of the unit which could otherwise be developed to offer a full suite of printing services.

-Insecure and exposed postal services which can be a target for the disingenuous, and thereby opening the TCI up to “unimaginable” national security risks.

-Unstable and limited radio communication services throughout the Islands and the inability to respond to technical issues and outages, and to offer an additional suite of services.

-Inefficient and cumbersome delivery of services for motor vehicle operations, which continues to frustrate customers and staff alike.

Morris said these challenges are coupled with insufficient human and operational resources such as specialised staff, vehicles and information systems that would allow a more effective and timely delivery of services.

“However, while these are indeed some of our greater challenges, my team and I, we, see them as opportunities and ways in which we can improve our

departments and our offerings to the public.

“And towards this end, we are looking forward to the opportunity to have some, if not all, of these initiatives addressed and funded under this great Government.”

The minister addressed the “hardworking men and women of this ministry who, despite all, have continued to push forward and work with what they have”.

He said they have been continuously fighting for a better way of working and for the necessary investment to improve their efficiency and the satisfaction of their customers.

“Unfortunately, it is apparent that their cries were either falling on deaf ears, or they were being heard but unheeded.

“I don’t know which it is, but whatever the case, little to nothing has been done in support of this ministry in the past.”

Morris went on to list a slew of improvements that his ministry is making to overcome past neglect.

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Third batch of Covid-19 vaccines arrives in Providenciales Health minister hopes 80% of population will be vaccinated by July

BY OLIVIA ROSE A third batch of the Pfizer/ BioNTech vaccines arrived at Providenciales International Airport on Wednesday, March 31.

Governor Nigel Dakin, Deputy Governor Anya Williams and health officials were on hand to receive the delivery from a specially chartered British Airways flight.

In an Instagram post that evening, Dakin said it contained 14,040 doses of the Pfizer/ BioNTech vaccine and 300 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to give clinicians choice.

Meanwhile, Williams, who is co-chair of the TCI Covid-19 Vaccination Oversight Steering Committee, wrote her own Instagram post on the delivery.

She explained that a tremendous amount of work goes into the process of acquiring the vaccine from the pre-planning stage, to receipt, to transport, to storage, to administration.

“Eleven weeks since launching our vaccination programme on January 11, 40 percent (13,841) of our adult population have now received their first doses of the

Governor Nigel Dakin (left), Deputy Governor Anya Williams (third left) and health officials receive the new vaccines at Providenciales International Airport (Nigel Dakin/Instagram)

vaccine; while 24 percent (8,449) have been fully vaccinated.

Speaking at a press conference that same day, Minister of Health Hon. Erwin Jay Saunders said his goal is to vaccinate 80 percent of the territory’s population in the next three months.

“They are saying about 70

percent will be enough to get herd immunity, but I would like to get to 80 percent as soon as possible,” he said during the live streamed conference. “…based on our population of about 42,000, we believe at least 40 percent of the public has gotten at least one dose of the vaccine.

He said the Ministry of Health is doing “pretty well” but is behind where it wants to be.

“We’re just at about 14,000 vaccinations to date and we wanted that number to be at least 15,000.

“We want to have at least 80 percent of the public vaccinated

by June or July and we’re a little

behind that, so I am encouraging people to get vaccinated.”

He said the latest batch will get the population to the 60 or 70 percent vaccination mark if used before its expiry date at the end of June.

The Turks and Caicos Government began vaccinating the local population against the coronavirus (Covid-19) on January 11.

Governor Nigel Dakin, Deputy Governor Anya Williams and former Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson were among the first to receive the vaccine.

The TCI Government accepted the offer from the United Kingdom for doses of the vaccine in November 2020, shortly before it received regulatory approval from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

The TCI, along with the Cayman Islands and Bermuda, were the only British overseas territories in the Caribbean to receive this initial batch of vaccines from the UK. This was attributed to the TCI having the required infrastructure to maintain the vaccine which (requires cooling to -70 Celsius) and distribute it effectively.

Fourth quarter tourist arrivals show promise amid pandemic

BY DELANA ISLES The hard work that has taken place to ensure the Turks and Caicos Islands’ main industry rebounds from Covid-19 showed some dividends in the fourth quarter of 2020.

According to statistics from the Tourist Board this week, the fourth quarter of 2020 rolled in with a slight increase in visitor arrivals providing a remnant of hope, and resilience for the territory.

Tourist arrivals figures show that in 2020, the TCI welcomed 370,406 visitors. Compared to 2019 - which saw 1.4 million arrivals - this number reflects an overall decline of 77 percent.

The figures were extracted from the 2020 Tourism Statistics Report which has not yet been made publicly available.

They were revealed to the Weekly News on Thursday, April 1, by the Director of Tourism Board, Pamela Ewing during an exclusive virtual interview.

The fourth quarter saw a 75 percent increase in arrivals in November 2020 when compared to October 2020, and then a 77 percent increase in December 2020 when compared to November.

Although stop over arrivals declined by 72 percent when compared to 2019, the slow and gradual increases month over month during this last quarter show that tourism in the TCI persevered, the report outlined.

Most of these arrivals, the director said, came from the US. “The last part of 2020, Turks and Caicos Islands did not see a lot of tourist arrivals from the rest of the world,” she said.

American Airlines was the first major US carrier to relaunch services to the TCI when it reopened on July 22, 2020 (www.visittci.com)

TOURISM IN 2020 Overall visitors to the Islands for the whole of 2020 decreased by 77 percent compared to 2019, with stop over arrivals decreasing by 66 percent, and cruise passenger arrivals down by 81 percent.

The number of cruise vessels at the port was also down by 81 percent compared to the previous year.

Stopover arrivals from major

markets such as the United States, Canada and Europe all report a decline of 65, 62 and 79 percent, respectively.

In the first quarter of 2020, the TCI saw an increase in stopover arrivals of 13 percent during the first two months and cruise arrivals of 205,867 for the first quarter.

However, the outlook changed drastically with the global concern of Covid-19, and rising cases in

major source markets - US, Europe and Canada.

By March 2020 stopover arrivals were down by 53 percent when compared to the previous year, and on March 24, 2020, the TCI’s borders were closed.

Borders then reopened for regional and international travel on July 22, 2020 with stringent CONTINUED 

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Final warning: Businesses could face harsher penalties for flouting Covid-19 rules

BY OLIVIA ROSE Businesses found breaking Covid-19 spread prevention rules could face even more severe penalties as the Government clamps down on offenders.

This is according to the Minister of Health and Deputy Premier Hon. Erwin Jay Saunders who has issued a final warning to businesses that are not complying.

“Businesses are supposed to be closed at 10pm and if you don’t comply, we will come down and deal with you harshly,” he said during a press conference on Wednesday, March 31.

The Government is progressively relaxing the restrictions for businesses including retailers, restaurants, nightclubs and beauty salons, allowing them to welcome more customers.

But they must comply with strict protocols, including enforcing face coverings, physical distancing, barriers, and limits on the number of customers.

Minister of Health Hon. Erwin Jay Saunders said those not complying will be dealt with harshly (Screenshot/ TCI Health Promotions and Advocacy)

Some are adhering while others are still are still not complying, whether deliberately or inadvertently.

Saunders said: “We looked at overall compliance with the Covid measures and I will say this, for most persons the compliance has been pretty good, but we know

that there are people who are noncompliant and we can’t have that.”

He said breaches of rules in place to prevent further spread of the coronavirus in the territory will not be tolerated.

“We want to open up the economy, and if we want to do

that as quickly as possible, we have to get the virus numbers way down, we have to get the positive cases down to at least three percent.

“Right now, we are doing a good job at getting it down but we can’t have breaches.

“We know who the offenders are. I am tired of talking about those offenders and we’re going to give you one last time to comply, because we know who you are,” he added.

The health minister stressed that it is crucial for businesses and individuals to comply with the measures implemented in order for the territory to fully recover.

“We cannot have businesses around here and persons around here putting the country at risk.”

Saunders said non-compliant businesses will be inspected by health officials and police officers.

“There aren’t measures that are being thrown out there. These are measures designed to reduce the risk of the country and make sure

that we don’t have the Covid-19 disease within the country.

“Once we get it down to a manageable number and completely get rid of it, we will open the economy up and we can go back to normal,” he said.

Speaking at a press briefing on March 15, Saunders said first-time offenders will be fined $5,000, second-time offenders will pay the same fine but the business will be closed for eight days, and while third-time offenders will be fined and closed for 15 days.

He said when businesses do not follow the rules it has a ripple effect which derails the efforts being made by the Government and the territory as a whole.

“If a business goes out there and doesn’t follow the control measures and they have an outbreak because of that and the numbers go up, we then have to reverse certain things which have an effect and it hurts everyone.”

Wheeland MP says landfill issues will not ‘fall on deaf ears’ Member of Parliament for Wheeland, Hon. Kyle Knowles, has assured his constituents that environmental issues stemming from the solid waste landfill will not go unaddressed.

During his two-minute speech in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, March 30, Knowles spoke about the problem “that continues to plague our very existence for a very long time”.

“This thorn in our side has impacted our environment and sadly impacted the health of my beloved community,” he said. “…the beautiful people of my constituency have unfortunately had to grapple with the nuisance of the coal kiln burning within our community, people trespassing on the dump site scavenging through refuge and discarded waste, and let’s not forget the random fires that stem from hot spots under the earth.”

He said the hot spot fires produce “little flame and much smoke” which can become a threat to public health. “…as the smoke creeps along the land and chokes the elderly, the babies, the youth and other citizens of Wheeland.”

He revealed that over the weekend there were videos circulating of an area in which piles of wood had been stacked for what could be the preparation for

Billows of thick black smoke from the dumpsite engulfed the Wheeland in 2019 (Olivia Rose/TC Weekly News)

Hon. Kyle Knowles, Member of Parliament for Wheeland (Kyle Knowles/Facebook)

this coal kiln procedure.

“This must stop! This may seem trivial or insignificant to those not impacted by the smoke, but I make no apology by saying, he who feels it, knows it,” Knowles said.

He said the environmental impacts and health concerns that the citizens of Wheeland face should not fall on deaf ears.

I am your member [of] parliament.

“You’ve signed me up and I’ve hit the road running, I’m already at work for each and every one of you.”

The improvement of solid waste management in the community, in particular the landfill site has been an issue of contention for some time.

Back in September 2019,

“I feel rest assured that this caring Government will do everything required to bring a resolve to this long-awaited contentious situation.”

He promised that he will work assiduously to address this longstanding problem.

“To my constituents under the sound of my voice these matters will not go unaddressed as long as

residents in the area complained bitterly about the suffocating acrid fumes coming from the nearby landfill blowing over their homes and schools.

Billows of thick black smoke emitting from the dumpsite engulfed the north-west side of Providenciales for days at a time, forcing schools and shops in the area to close.

April 6-12, 2021

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Visionary broadcaster Peter A Stubbs dies

BY DELANA ISLES The broadcast community of the Turks and Caicos Islands was plunged into sadness last week following news of the sudden death of Peter Andrew Stubbs.

Stubbs peacefully passed away at his home on Wednesday, March 31, with his loving family by his side. He died at the age of 58, nine days before his birthday on April 9.

During his 30 years in the broadcast and cable television industry, Stubbs worked in various capacities, from home satellite TV installations to top management.

He has been involved in the industry in some way since the beginning of television services in Providenciales, according to PTV Channel 8 website www.ptv8tci. com/visionary Stubbs’ broadcasting career got its start when he worked alongside Bob Cooper, owner and manager of West Indies Video (WIV); John Ramsey of Ramsey Electronics; and Tom Humphries, ex-M/A Com TVRO head, in the 1980s.

During that time, he developed a passion for all things television.

His vision was to develop the first local TV channel in the TCI along with the first VHF/UHF broadcast network in Providenciales, North Caicos and Grand Turk.

In 1994, he became managing director of WIV. As managing director, Stubbs headed the new vision and redevelopment of WIV Cable TV Channel 4 into a successful local news, education, and entertainment channel once again.

It was his idea that the television provider also transition into telecom services, leading to the formation of Andrew’s Communications in the 1990s.

Andrew’s Communications was finally granted its first telecommunications licence in 2006.

In 2008, Stubbs embarked on a new venture with the development of People’s Television (PTV Channel 8), which broadcasts local news four times a day on weekdays.

In 2010, he launched People’s Television Network, providing network services first to Providenciales, North and Middle Caicos, Pine Cay and Parrot Cay, and eventually all of the inhabited islands of the TCI. The publisher and entire staff of the Weekly News express heartfelt condolences to the Stubbs family in their time of bereavement.

Stubbs is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and parents.

Fourth quarter tourist arrivals show ...

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Covid-19 protocols in place.

A total of 9,937 overall visitor arrivals were then recorded for the third quarter of 2020. This is a 90 percent decrease in arrivals when compared to the third quarter figures of 2019.

Overall, land-based arrivals from the United States for 2020 was 138,354; Canada 16,926; Europe 4,695; the Caribbean 1,288; South America 2,169; Asia 335 and from the rest of the world 772.

Looking at these numbers, the tourism director said they should be taken for what they are, and not so much for its comparisons.

“From 2019 to 2020, clearly there are tremendous differences with regard to our numbers but in 2019 we ended up with approximately 1.4

million overall arrivals.

“That included about one million cruise arrivals and just about 450,000 land-based arrivals.”

She added: “2020 was not the type of year we can compare to anything else because in our lifetime, we’ve not had a year like that, so it has to be looked at on its own.”

Ewing recalled what a banner year 2019 was for the Islands, stating that the TCI has been able to retain its partnerships forged then.

“We were at nine percent over the previous year 2018, so we were well on our way in terms of increasing our occupancy levels, but given what happened with Covid-19 clearly we, like the rest of the world, were tremendously hit.”

The family will be hosting a memorial service on April 9 from 7pm to 9.30pm in the PTV parking lot, located The Bight, Providenciales.

A homegoing service will be held the following day, April 10, at 10am, at the same location.

Live broadcasts will be shared on PTV Channel 8 and across PTV’s social media pages of these events.

Peter Andrew Stubbs, managing director of Andrews Communications, passed away at age 58 (Stubbs family)

Minister reveals improvements to several critical services A host of enhancements to critical services are underway, according to Hon. Otis Chuck Morris, Minister of Home Affairs, Public Utilities and Transportation.

He announced his ministry’s plans after berating the former PDM Government on its lack of investment, during his ministerial speech in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, March 30.

“Rest assured, we are not blind to the fact that there is extreme pressure on the financial resources of the Government and the competing priorities of our Government,” he said.

“But we remain persuaded by our conviction that, as a Government, we must ensure that these critical departments of this ministry and our communities remain operationally safe, sound and effective in the delivery of our services.”

The Postal Service will benefit from the introduction of a barcode system for the creation of labels and the trackability of mailbags, the introduction of a stamps contract and work towards the introduction of a Global Track and Trace (GTT) system.

Radio Turks and Caicos will get preparation for IP broadcast.

The ministry has also commissioned a million-gallon water storage tank for Grand Turk to improve water delivery, along with the repair of critical facilities in Salt Cay and the implementation of a customer billing system.

Within energy and utilities, a review of, and proposed

modernisation of the Electricity Ordinance to allow for renewable energy generation will be advancing to the House in coming weeks.

The ministry will also be moving forward with the finalisation of the TCI Energy Policy and preparation of the TCI Energy Community Outreach and Communication Strategy.

Finally, reports on consultation on the establishment of a multisector Public Utilities Authority will be presented to Cabinet in coming weeks.

Morris added that in the next 12 months he hopes to accomplish many more tasks.

“Do not be misled, these are all tall orders, but as I have said repeatedly, I come for this work and I have a team that is no stranger to work, and we have a people and a country who deserve only the best that we have to offer.

“It is on this merit, that I stand in commitment to this work being done.”

Some of what he hopes to achieve include: -Implementation of a new database for the Road Safety Department to enable realtime sharing of data relevant to stakeholder departments such as the police force and immigration departments.

-A review of the telecommunication sector to mitigate the real risk of being completely disconnected from the global society and economy, to better regulate the

telecommunications sector, to address convergence in the industry and to introduce new ways of using and integrating technology into everyday activities.

-Improving HMP services by upgrading the infrastructure (building new blocks, upgrading sanitation, plumbing and electrical systems, install lighting and fencing), training staff to ensure their safety and that of those in their care, as well as delivering rehabilitation programmes to improve self-sufficiency and resettlement.

-Providing Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay with efficient, sustainable and environmentally conscious water service through reverse osmosis.

-Providing the Turks and Caicos Islands with an effective response to emergencies and fire suppression along with engaging in active campaigns for fire prevention education and awareness.

-Rebranding of Radio Turks and Caicos and providing all radio listeners throughout the TCI with captivating, modern listening along with informative and educational programmes.

-Providing the public service with high-quality printing services and Gazette publications in a timely fashion.

-Implementing laws that will facilitate and encourage greater use of alternative energy and improve regulation of public utilities through the establishment of a multi-sector regulatory agency by March 2022.

10 NEWS OPINIONS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

April 6-12, 2021

Make some sacrifices to get what you need

All of us have needs but most of us are not in a position to acquire our needs. Therefore, sacrifices have to be made in order to get what you need.

Some people are barely making it and some are not making it all. Even those that are making it will find themselves spending more and not achieving their desires.

Covid-19 has taught us a big lesson that your job and income are not secured.

Therefore, whatever your financial condition is, sacrifice some of those funds even if it is $1 a day.

Sacrifice that annual overseas vacation and brand name clothing, shoes and electronics. Sacrifice eating out and replace it with eating home.

Sacrifice that two-bedroom apartment for a one-bedroom apartment even if you have children. Let it work until you get what you need.

If you want to make it ahead in life, working 9am to 5pm is not the answer because your work is never done. You need

BY DREXWELL SEYMOUR

Drexwell Seymour is a certified public accountant and is the managing partner for HLB TCI. His favourite hobby, however, is writing. He has a personal website, www.drexwellseymour. com, where all of his writings are posted. He also has a YouTube channel where you can find inspirational videos. Drexwell has a BA in Accounting and an MBA in Finance.

to sacrifice some leisure and social time to get your work done in order to complete your tasks for the day.

If you are entrepreneur and a leader, you will know that your work is never done and it requires sacrificing a lot of time.

Many of our parents did not have the educational background we had and so they made a lot of sacrifices so that we can acquire a good level of education.

Embrace the educational opportunities provided to you. Do not spend all of your

time in college having fun. Sacrifice that fun time and use that time to study so that you achieve your qualifications.

If you are already employed, always strive to acquire more knowledge. It is the knowledge, experience and your attitude that will make you more marketable than others.

Make the sacrifices to improve your educational background. You are never too young or too old.

I believe that individuals should spend adequate time with family. However, there

will be many times when you have to sacrifice that time to get what you need.

You must find a balance though. Try taking your family with you to work so you can still spend time with them.

I know this is not the answer for some employees who are single parents and have to work two jobs in order to make it. This is a sacrifice that some employees will have to do.

Some people have sacrificed their health in order to make it in life. However, in the end their health deteriorated and the things they were working for, they could not enjoy it in the end.

Do not sacrifice your health. You need to get some sleep and also you must eat well.

The sacrifices you do now may seem unbearable. You may feel like you are all alone due to the sacrifices you have made.

Set a realistic timeframe on what you want to achieve and make the necessary sacrifices to acquire what you want. The sacrifices you make are recipes for success.

‘The UK is not bigoted’ like water is not wet PART TWO

BY BEN ROBERTS

Ben is a Turks and Caicos Islander living in Maryland, USA, and published author of ‘Jackals of Samarra’. He is also a founding member of the NGO Turks and Caicos Forum.

Ben can be contacted at grandt730@aol.com.

Continued from last week…

In 1968 Britain and its Crown exiled the Indian Ocean black populace of Diego Garcia from the unspoiled paradise that was their home.

They dumped them on a dock on Mauritius, to whom they paid a few million pounds for facilitating this operation, which was aimed at maintaining UK military priorities, along with those of the United States.

Since then, these people, called Chagossians, have never stopped seeking redress in British courts.

In each instance where a decision was due, the monarchy simply met with the Privy Council (equivalent of the US Supreme

Court) in private and directed them to continue in the same posture, claiming this was paramount to British national security.

What a gross display of racism. This is not a story of centuries ago we are talking about. This was 1968.

But now the World Court has ruled in the Chagossians favour, and now these racists have to do something.

Their last defence was that the

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Chagossians could not return, because the islands were a most valuable ecological bird sanctuary that should not be disturbed.

How utterly detestable that the British see absolutely nothing wrong with putting birds above humans.

In that case the Pied Piper should have been thrown into the king’s dungeon for causing the death of all those rats. Do you see how pathetic that avian defence is?

Forget 1968. Here we are in 2021. The TCI, an archipelago of ivory-white sandy beach islands in the Caribbean, has been a British colony for going on four centuries.

It was gifted to Britain by France as a peace offering in the 1783 Treaty of Paris that recognised the United States as an independent nation.

This small nation has been abused by the

British and its monarchy for all this time in a most racist and dehumanising manner, where white supremacy is the order of the day, and has always been.

Here a governor is sent from Britain by the Crown with no input from these citizens, and is made head of Cabinet of local government, and does not answer to the constitution of these Islands.

Here the citizens of these Islands do not have, and have never had, any representation in the British parliament.

Here in 1966 when Queen Elizabeth II visited these Islands, they bulldozed the salt pyramids, the source for salt for the citizenry for cooking and other uses, into the sea because they did not want it to be an ‘eyesore’ for the Queen to have to bear seeing.

If this is not unadulterated white supremacist racism, then pray tell what is?

In fact, right now these citizens have an online petition at ‘petitions.net’ seeking deliverance from this centuries-old medieval pea soup of historical racism they have put up with for four centuries.

Not racist? There is a saying: ‘There are three things in life that cannot be hidden for long. The sun, the moon, and the truth.’ We must now add a fourth: ‘And the outlandish notion that Britain is not racist.’

April 6-12, 2021

NEWS 11

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Socio-economic implications of the Covid-19 pandemic What can we do about the challenges that are certain to undermine our socio-economic stability, triggered by the coronavirus pandemic?

A recent UN policy brief showcased startling developments, some of which are visible across communities in countries inside the Eastern Caribbean Area (ECA), which includes the TCI. At the outbreak of the virus, like the rest of the world, the TCI Government responded swiftly and followed all the protocols of the World Health Organization (WHO), resulting in the closure its borders, schools and non-essential businesses and established lockdowns to limit the movements of the population, and enforced social distancing to contain the spread of the disease.

These phenomena have had enormous impact on the population as a whole, resulting in the disruption of social life and well-being, changes in human behaviour, sharp rises in

BY D MARKIE SPRING D Markie Spring, a TCI resident of 15 years, is an expert in law enforcement. He worked as a detective in the Royal TCI Police Force and was director of security at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

unemployment and a reduction in household income.

The 2021 International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates for the ECA countries heeded a bleak future and estimated a seven percent decline in most countries.

Although the 2021 GDP growth rate estimation for the TCI was not determined, we’re not immune.

Beside these daunting economic setbacks, what is most unsettling is the brazen impact on children stemming from school closures – notably, the interruption of classes for prolonged periods

and postponement of final examinations, occasioning a downward spiral in students’ performance.

To mitigate these impacts, home schooling and incorporating more traditional methods to the home environment, such as the distribution of homework, video and phone calls, indicative timetables and books, and constant communication between teachers, students and parents, are encouraged.

However, these events must be supported by the accessibility to communication devices and highspeed internet connection.

The isolation of students to their homes and their inability to socialise with people outside of their immediate household posed grave concerns in these changing circumstances – exposing children to depression, anger, frustration and anxiety.

It also saw an increase in the level of violence in the homes, as prevalent in St Lucia, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, according to a UNICEF cluster survey.

The good news is, this heightened violence can be streamlined.

Parents are now required to joggle between childcare and work and allowing their children to partake in household duties and helping them during their virtual classes and homework.

Too, engaging students in creative activities, such as dancing and exercise routines work well, as is demonstrated in America.

It is expected, however, that fathers who are not living at home will play a crucial role in disciplining their children and

create lasting bonds.

There is also the potential for child and female abuse, as reported in Dominica, Puerto Rico and the US, following hurricanes Maria and Irma.

To curb these situations, the Government must constantly review its isolation regulations – allowing families brief periods from the confines of their homes, coupled with fostering its child protection services by providing counselling and communicating regularly with parents.

Still, there are the increased demands for social protection. In the face of rising unemployment and the loss of household incomes, especially, the poor cannot survive without the Government’s intervention.

To the Government’s credit, it is dispensing financial assistance to the citizens who need it most.

The Government, parents, teachers and students must guard against the possibility of an upsurge.

Illegal immigration, a real threat without real solutions PART ONE Dear Editor, Immigration reform is perhaps the most complex policy to enact, let alone enforce without stepping on individuals’ human rights or angering a certain group of people.

I realise there is an undercurrent of tension right now as it relates to this delicate topic, but it’s important to discuss.

This is why, in my opinion, no one has the perfect solution or answers, not even major developed countries.

Nevertheless, elected politicians have an obligation and a duty to come up with a comprehensive approach and viable solutions in the best interest of our country.

The impact of the current pandemic has made it even more of a nightmare for many countries around the world. As a result, many people are suffering and in dire straits of basic needs.

It is my belief that if this prolongs without intervention, it could force neighbouring countries such as Haiti and the Dominican Republic into an unstable equilibrium as it relates to migration control.

Given the close proximity of the aforementioned countries to our shores, we could expect an increase in migration, which we know all too well is a continued challenge for us.

Political pundits were taken aback when the former premier stated that she cannot stop the illegal Haitian sloops from coming.

Although not politically correct it’s a fact - which political party or countries have shown they can?

Persons migrate to certain countries because of various reasons: be it an economic situation, human rights abuse, government stability, living conditions, etc.

Governments cannot control all population flow, and as concerned citizens, we also have a role to play in stemming the flow of illegal

immigration.

For decades our country has dealt with illegal immigration, primarily Haitian and Dominican nationals, and there seems to be no real solutions or end in sight.

Recently, many other nationalities are seizing on the opportunities and taking advantage of the loopholes in our immigration system and porous borders.

I’m inclined to believe we literally have thousands of undocumented immigrants living in our country under the shadows, be it from undetected illegal boats coming ashore or persons who have overstayed their visas.

The recent voting records and estimated census is indicative of that.

What we need is zero tolerance for illegal immigration. Although we are advocates for human rights, our country has a rule of law that must be adhered too.

In a small country like TCI, unchecked immigration could

threaten the very fabric of our society in terms of our culture, the burden on our existing welfare system, etc.

In order to properly enforce our current laws and bring about real change, the Government will need to have better checks and balances in place.

Such as, a better tracking system for overstayed visas under the Operation Guardian programme.

-Imposing hefty fines for hiring illegals or aiding and abetting illegal entry.

-Housing enforcement of make shift shacks erected on vacant properties, be it government or private.

-Investing heavily in border control and protecting our sovereign water ways.

-Increasing unannounced worksite immigration inspections, etc.

To be continued next week.

Ed Forbes, Grand Turk

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12 NEWS

April 6-12, 2021

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

A Grace Bay resident fished out polystyrene cladding pieces from his pool while another heaped up the debris on her terrace

John Hazard, general manager of the RitzCarlton hotel (Olivia Rose/TC Weekly News)

Andryell Misick, construction manager on the Ritz-Carlton project, (Olivia Rose/TC Weekly News)

Residents concerned over RitzCarlton construction site debris But management says polystyrene cladding will reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint

BY OLIVIA ROSE Homeowners and holidaymakers in Grace Bay are once again up in arms about polystyrene debris emanating from the Ritz-Carlton hotel construction littering their properties.

The small white pieces of plastic have been spotted drifting along the beach as well as in neighbouring homes, pools, gardens, streets and terraces.

But management of the hotel has said it is working assiduously to mitigate the problem, and assures that installing the polystyrene cladding will reduce the property’s carbon footprint.

When Carlton Dover left his vacation rental for an afternoon stroll on the Grace Bay beach in mid-March, he said he felt as though he had stepped into a snow storm.

What looked at first to be snowflakes were actually white beads of polystyrene blowing several blocks from the RitzCarlton construction site.

“It started snowing Styrofoam [polystyrene] and everyone was wondering what was happening,” said Dover.

It did not take long for them to identify the culprit - the striking 12 storey luxury development which is set to dominate Providenciales’ skyline upon completion this summer.

The polystyrene cladding is part of the Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS), a type of energy efficient thermal wrapping used on the three hotel and residences buildings.

Issues stemming from use of the material were first raised in April last year by concerned residents.

At that time, Ritz-Carlton developers said measures were put in place to prevent the polystyrene from blowing throughout the community, adding that it would

Builders completing work on an EIFS panel (Olivia Rose/TC Weekly News)

never use products “that would have a negative impact on the environment”.

According to Heather Magliozzi, a Grace Bay homeowner who spoke to the Weekly News on March 27, these measures have not been effective.

She said: “Many are still very upset about this problem, we are still suffering over here.

“I just spent two weeks at our property and was dismayed to see that the pollution was never dealt with and is actually worse.”

Magliozzi said on windy days the volume of polystyrene pieces she sweeps from her terrace and furniture every day is much greater.

“Now we take big sheets of Styrofoam out of our landscaping and pools.

“Today is particularly bad with them sanding the balconies close to us which are made of this rendering, our pool surface is full and it is blowing continuously.”

Although the debris is an eyesore for the neighbourhood, some residents are more concerned about the impact on the environment.

One resident who emailed the Weekly News said: “It’s absolutely appalling, the effect on our environment, the source of much of our income, is devastating.

“The styrene is everywhere... like snow on the beach, horrendous pollution in the sea....not to

The ongoing Ritz-Carlton project in Grace Bay, Providenciales (Olivia Rose/TC Weekly News)

mention rubbish in neighbouring pools and landscaping.

“No longer can we claim to be ‘beautiful by nature’.”

While in December, Turks and Caicos Reef Fund in its regular column in the Weekly News said the plastic debris is a concern to wildlife because it takes such a long time to degrade.

It can travel from land to inland waterways and out to the ocean where birds and marine creatures can mistake it for food.

“As the [polystyrene] accumulates, along with other non-digestible things they ingest, the capacity of these animals to ingest enough nutritional items diminishes and it is well documented that they can die from starvation as a result.”

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT John Hazard, general manager of the Ritz-Carlton hotel, told the Weekly News on March 26, that precautions are being taken to protect the environment as the hotel inches closer to its June 2021 opening.

During a media tour of the construction site, Hazard explained that a number of measures are being implemented on a daily basis.

Protective netting has been installed over polystyrene cladding which will be sanded down to

improve adhesion of the built-up base coat and finish coat products – also known as rasping.

Other measures include the use of handheld vacuums during rasping, and daily inspection and clean-up of all unusable polystyrene panels and debris from surrounding areas.

“Where they clean this [polystyrene] off is netted and we have guys with hoover vacuums that are underneath the netting and we try our very best to make sure nothing escapes.

“When the wind picks up we do get some debris unfortunately...but the guys stop working and move onto something else, whereas a few months ago maybe that wasn’t the case.”

Hazard said a community clean up initiative largely focused around maintenance and improving the marine environment will be rolled out soon.

“So that will be beach clean-ups.

We’re also going to do a project with the Bight park and anything that’s been deposited on the beach we will clean up tenfold.”

Andryell Misick, construction manager on the Ritz-Carlton project, said clean-up efforts have been ongoing since work began in 2018.

“We have a dedicated cleaning crew that comb the beach daily sometimes three to four times a day, with vacuums from one end

of the property all the way down to Point Grace on some days especially when it’s windy.

“We have a pretty good relationship with our neighbours, Seven Stars, Villa Renaissance and Regent Group, as part of the construction team.

“We keep in contact with them on a daily basis...so they know what we’re doing to curtail any issues they may have with the EIFS installation process.”

Although the EIFS cladding process has stirred vexation among some residents, Hazard explained that eventually the product will positively impact the hotel and by extension the territory’s carbon footprint.

“The reason we’re doing this, at a very great expense, is to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint.

“So yes, on the one hand there’s been some debris on the beach which we’re very apologetic for, but this building system is designed to significantly reduce our carbon footprint.

“So, in terms of the energy we will use and consume is probably going to be 40 percent less than most of our equivalent neighbouring hotels and that’s something I don’t really think people understand. So yes, there some short-term pain.”

The hotel in partnership with FortisTCI, recently installed a 210.6 kilowatt solar PV system above the luxury resort’s casino and restaurant.

The grid-tied rooftop solar system was built to the tune of $500,000 and is expected to generate approximately 310 megawatt hours annually, helping avoid roughly 244 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

The 12-story Ritz-Carlton is by far the tallest resort or residence project to date in the TCI, and easily towers over the sevenstory Seven Stars Resort, which previously held the record.

April 6-12, 2021

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS 13

THE SALT CAY NOTE Salt Cay managed to have a season this year, driven mostly by exceptionally good and much-lauded whale watching excursions and diving (Watercolour by Katharine Hart, Grand Turk)

HAVING A

WHALE OF A TIME The Turks and Caicos Islands has a new Minister of Tourism; and that’s a good thing. So it came as no surprise that, as soon as the Honourable Josephine Connolly was sworn in to her new role, she joined the ‘Destination Salt Cay’ Facebook group.

That too is a very good thing, for several reasons. For not only will the honourable minister, a ‘Salt Cay lady’ herself as she is happy to remind people, have seen Salt Cay’s homegrown marketing campaign of the past 18 months with her very own eyes, but she will no doubt also have noted the ineffectiveness of the Tourist Board when it comes to promoting Salt Cay. In February of this year, the then 1,400 followers of the ‘Destination Salt Cay’ Facebook group and the 5,000 friends of the ‘Salt Cay Ferry’ were asked the following question: “As we continue to promote the destination Salt Cay, what has been the most effective way to get the word out, during the last 12 months?”

Well over 400 persons decided to take part in the survey and the results were as interesting as they were revealing; an astonishing 40 percent found that The Salt Cay Note column and its website had been the single most effective way to get the Salt Cay story out to the rest of the world, followed by the Facebook page of the Salt Cay Ferry, with 28 percent, and the Destination Salt Cay Facebook group coming in third with 15 percent.

Notably, not a single participant found the Tourist Board effective.

BY TITUS DE BOER

Titus de Boer was born in Hamburg and spent his formative years in the West Indies.

After a formal education in Germany and subsequent training as a journalist, he moved to the TCI in 1989. Titus’ Salt Cay stories and photographs can be found on www.saltcaynote.com

One would like to think that the previous sentence has registered with the new minister of tourism.

The fact is; yes, Salt Cay managed to have a season this year, driven mostly by exceptionally good and much-lauded whale watching excursions and diving; however this was a season that happened not because of, but in spite of the Tourist Board.

A season driven by an effective, grassroots marketing campaign, ‘Made in Salt Cay’!

Now clearly one could counter-argue that the opinion of 400 persons can hardly be viewed as representative and/or statistically accurate. Perhaps, but not even a single acknowledgement of the Tourist Board and

An island gets ready to do business - on its own terms its efforts?

A better, perhaps fairer way to assess its efforts, as they relate to Salt Cay, is to have a look at its website and the information it offers regarding the island, https://turksandcaicostourism.com/saltcay Aside from making no mention of how, actually, to get to Salt Cay, be it via our notoriously unreliable air service or our consistently reliable Salt Cay community ferry service, the website mentions just a total of five accommodations, one of which is no longer in business, and fails to mention a good number of other rental properties; among them being the largest provider of island accommodation!

When it comes to bars and restaurants, the information is just as inaccurate, long outdated and consequently misleading.

Of the two restaurants mentioned, one closed down well over year ago, so much for, ‘Casual dining, serving breakfast lunch and dinner, located on the ocean in front...’ and while the other eatery is still in business, the Tourist Board’s website fails to include the two main existing, operational on-island restaurants altogether! Perhaps those 400 persons had a point.

With the 2021 whale watching season coming to an end, it is now time to look to the future. How will business be, when we open up again, once the world moves beyond the Covid-19 pandemic?

As far as Salt Cay and its dwindling population is concerned, it is time to carefully consider the big picture.

Which business model will ensure that Salt Cay Islanders will have business opportunities and well-paid jobs on their

home island in the coming decades?

Which concept is sustainable, combining economic aspirations with the ecological, cultural and historical uniqueness that Salt Cay has to offer?

One thing is for sure; one dive business, a small handful of eateries and holiday rentals, and a few short-stay winter residents will not sustain this island and secure its survival. You don’t have to be an economist to figure that out.

During the past two years several concepts and proposals have emerged, some more sensible than others. With all of them, my opinion has always been and will always be; the decision regarding the future of this island lies with the native Salt Cay islanders. Full stop. What will bring the greatest benefits to them and indeed their future generations?

“What Salt Cay needs (or doesn’t need) is...” is one of the favourite sentence starters to come out of the mouths of visiting Provo-ites, as they get ready to spend a ‘staycation’ away from ‘the big city’.

Of course, all of them mean well, but the opinions expressed still come across as more condescending than not. It’s easy to pontificate when, after a few days of whale watching and tranquil relaxation, one flies back to well-paid jobs, successful businesses and the Grace Bay lifestyle.

Salt Cay and its people have proven over again that just as they are more than capable of promoting their island effectively themselves, they don’t need outside interference when it comes to charting their future course, as I have no doubt they will - but on their own terms.

14 NEWS

April 6-12, 2021

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

THE ENVIRONMENT 

Lionfish reproduce frequently and in large numbers (Turks and Caicos Reef Fund)

Lionfish – It’s Tourism director talks destination what’s for dinner!

Director of Tourism Pamela Ewing she said she has been “very, very busy” (Pamela Ewing/Facebook)

promotion during a pandemic

BY DELANA ISLES An accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in travel and hospitality, Tourism Director Pamela Ewing said her mettle was tested during the global pandemic. But she is up to the task.

Her tenure as director of the Tourist Board started on April 1, 2020, a time when the TCI was under full lockdown, borders were closed and tourist arrivals had dwindled to zero.

“I remember when I first came into the position, everybody who congratulated me prefaced that by saying ‘what a year to start off your position’. Talk about being thrown into the fire,” she laughed.

On Thursday, April 1, the Weekly News was granted an exclusive interview with Ewing as she celebrated her first anniversary heading the organisation.

During the past year, she said she has been “very, very busy”.

“People might think, well you didn’t have a lot of arrivals so there wasn’t a lot of work going on, but there was a lot of work going on because even though we didn’t have arrivals, our goal was still clearly to bring persons back to the destination, so the work was and is in promoting the destination….”

MARKETING One of the major moves the board has taken this past year was in hiring a new professional public relations firm.

On June 2, 2020, J Wade Public Relations - a boutique US public relations and social media firm - was appointed to promote the destination.

“Our initial strategy with the firm was to just ensure that we

were continuing to promote the destination in one form or another even when we were closed… like a soft sell.”

The director said the board was able to achieve this when the territory was closed, and even more so now that it has been open for more than six months.

“They [J Wade Public Relations] have been able to get us exposure that we would not have gotten based on budgets in an ordinary year.”

The director added: “To date they have gotten us $179 million worth of exposure for the destination, and that has helped us quite a lot.”

But how does the territory build on this momentum it now enjoys on the international arena, going forward?

Well, the director said, continuing to work along with the PR company is one the main goals to ensure this momentum continues.

“One of the beautiful things about Turks and Caicos is we have excellent partnerships, both international partners in this market that I have worked on for many years, but also our stakeholder partnerships in the local market… we have to work together to ensure that we promote the destination together.”

She said that extending the board’s reach throughout the US is paramount, as well as Europe.

GOING FORWARD A major boon for tourism will be the return of cruise ships, which the Government has tentatively earmarked for August.

“For me I think there’s an opportunity for us - and as a part

of our plan going forward - by October, hopefully have cruise ships starting to return to Turks and Caicos,” the Director said.

“I think that time will allow us to put in place any additional or necessary protocols we would need to use for cruise ships given that their numbers are going to be much higher and they are going to be in confined spaces when they get here.”

She said the strategy is now more so to turn these cruise arrivals into land-based arrivals.

“Clearly the cruise arrivals go through the destination, but we want them then to come back and if it is that they want to go stay on Grand Turk or any of the sister islands, we welcome that.”

Last week, the Deputy Governor, Anya Williams revealed that 40 percent of the adult population in the TCI is now vaccinated with at least one dose, and 24 percent fully vaccinated.

The tourism director said this is a ripe opportunity for the TCI to sell itself even more.

“Our vaccination numbers are a selling point… the fact that a small country like the Turks and Caicos has been able to vaccinate up to 40 percent of its destination, that is definitely a selling point.”

She said this shows that the territory takes safety very seriously.

“It shows that… we are doing everything that we can to ensure that our local population is ready from a health standpoint and the fact that we have those protocols in place for travellers that are coming…

“It clearly shows that we put a premium on safety and we are doing everything we can to ensure both locals and travellers are safe.”

By Turks and Caicos Reef Fund

Lionfish are an invasive fish species that arrived in the Turks and Caicos Islands around 2006.

Their native range is the Indo-Pacific oceans and are thought to have reached the Caribbean after being released into the wild off the coast of Florida sometime in the 1990s by a pet owner who no longer wanted the fish in their aquarium.

Since they reproduce frequently and in large numbers, it did not take long from them to spread from Florida up to the coast of North Carolina and throughout the Caribbean, as far off as the coast of Brazil.

They are a lovely fish to see in the wild with long, flowing fins, but they are a disaster to have on our reefs as they have no natural predators and have voracious appetites. Lionfish can consume prey that are half as big as they are.

They grow more rapidly in the Caribbean waters (probably because they have no native predators and an abundant supply of fish that are not wary of the lionfish).

They feed off virtually any fish, crab or lobster they encounter.

And, as stated above, they reproduce rapidly with females laying as many as 30,000 eggs every few weeks. So, the lionfish is a real threat to our native fish species, including the commercially attractive grouper and snapper (as well as juvenile lobsters).

What can be done about it? The solution is in your kitchen.

Lionfish are good to eat. They can be fried whole, fileted, eaten as ceviche, basically any way you like it!

The trick is, you have to be careful. The lionfish has venom in its long fin spines.

The venom is housed in sac at the base of the spines, so it is not in the flesh and contrary to the thoughts of many, they are not poisonous.

They are more like bees in that they inflict a sting on unsuspecting handlers of the fish. But trust us, you don’t want to get stung because it can hurt like heck! We know from first-hand experience that it is painful.

But the venom is a protein and can be neutralised with heat. So hot water on a sting will help lessen the pain and cooking the fish whole, with spines intact will also neutralise the venom.

In fact, many people in the Bahamas use the long spines after cooking the fish as a toothpick.

Remember, fishing in the Marine Protected Areas is not allowed.

You can apply for a permit to spear lionfish in the park through the DECR. So, go out and help protect our grouper, snapper and lobster populations. Go catch some lionfish and grill them up for dinner!

Just be careful handling them.

To get involved or for more information email alizee@tcreef.org

April 6-12, 2021

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS 15

Chamber seeks new members to join growing association The Turks and Caicos Chamber of Commerce has released a video encouraging new business owners to join its ever-growing membership base.

The production, which highlights TCI businesses and the territory’s beautiful land and seascapes, was created by chamber member LeMens Welch of Visual Storytelling.

In the video, Ronald Saunders, president of the Turks and Caicos Chamber of Commerce, explained what makes the chamber different from other membership associations.

“The simplest answer is that we are committed to representing our entire membership base through persistent advocacy,” he said. “All sized businesses in every industry have a home at the chamber.”

The chamber’s membership base ranges from small business photographers to realty companies, taxi drivers to major supermarkets, small and medium sized tourist-based businesses to well established law firms and construction companies.

“As a result of our commitment to represent our members, we significantly increased our digital presence and launched a host of bold initiatives,” Saunders said.

He said since its creation,

the chamber has given the TCI Government its “game changing” six-point MSME economic relief plan and a document calling for the introduction of a freedom of information act.

And for the first time the chamber has been able to officially roll out its member to member discount programme through its new membership card scheme, Saunders added.

“We’ve launched the national chamber for unified representation throughout Turks and Caicos and have been invited to sit on boards and councils that will matter to your business.”

Among those are the TCI Economic Council, TCIG’s Finance and Administration SubCommittee, and TCIG’s Welfare and Relief Sub-Committee.

“This allows for true representation and increased possibilities for change,” the chamber president said.

“As a result of our dedication a relentless pursuit for a seat at various tables to represent your voice, we have had more members join our family within the last nine months than we did for the entire of 2019, and quite frankly, we’re looking to expand.

“Who do you know that wants

Lobster season ends for another year The last day of lobster season was Wednesday, March 31, and for the next four months, no person can catch, land, sell or be in possession of a lobster.

The Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) issued a reminder of the close of the season, with details of the governing Fisheries Protection Ordinance.

The closed season begins on April 1 and continues until July 31. During this time it is illegal for fishermen to land or trade in lobsters and for restaurants and hotels to serve lobsters.

“The DECR therefore urges all fishing interests to ensure that they have NO lobsters in their possession at the end of the season,” the reminder said.

“Please also be reminded that in the remaining days of the season, berried lobsters (or lobsters with eggs) MUST be returned to the water.”

Closed seasons are periods within which no fishing, hunting or capture of a specified animal is allowed by law.

Caribbean spiny lobsters live on reefs and in mangrove swamps, and are a popular seafood dish. Divers catch them by gloved hand or net.

Closed season coincides with the peak breeding season of the species, and is instituted to allow the animals to mature and revive their population.

Any violations can be reported to the DECR on 3384170 or at environment@gov.tc

to be a part of our movement in history…Let’s do this together Turks and Caicos – your voice, our representation.”

To watch the video, which was published on YouTube on Friday, April 2, visit www.youtube.com/ watch?v=CbNhTFhIUR0 The Turks and Caicos Chamber of Commerce, formerly the Providenciales Chamber of Commerce, is made up of business owner members from throughout the TCI. Grand Turk’s Ronald Saunders is president while Providenciales’ Daniel J LeVin is first vice president. Immediate past president is Kyle Smith.

For more information on the chamber visit www.chamber.tc

Ronald Saunders, president of the Turks and Caicos Chamber of Commerce (Screenshot/YouTube)

Health ministry releases April Covid-19 testing schedule All residents can be tested for Covid-19 for free this April. The Ministry of Health has released its testing schedule and said people will be tested on a “first come first served” basis.

In a press release on March 31, the ministry urged attendees to arrive at the relevant location wearing a mask, keeping a six foot distance and carrying photo identification and a pen.

Testing will take place: Grand Turk - Every Tuesday, between 2pm and 4pm at the Gazebo (Pond Street).

South Caicos - Every Tuesday

between 9am and 12pm at the Primary Health Care Clinic.

North and Middle Caicos Every Monday between 9am and 12pm at the Primary Health Care Clinic in Kew. Every Thursday between 9am and 12pm at the Primary Health Care Clinic in Bottle Creek.

Every Monday and Thursday between 9am and 12pm at the Middle Caicos Clinic.

Providenciales - The mobile clinic will be parked at the National Stadium on Venetian Road on Tuesdays, at Graceway IGA on April 8, at Sams Plaza,

Downtown, on April 15, at Sunny Foods in Five Cays on April 22 and Sunny Foods in Blue Hills on April 29, between 9am and 12pm.

Anyone with symptoms or signs of Covid-19 should remain at home and instead call the Covid-19 Hotlines on 232-9444 or 333-0911 or 911 if symptoms are very serious.

These can include fever, headache, dry cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhoea, joint pain, loss of taste and loss of smell.

Gov’t to host summits for contractors and vendors this April Two virtual summits for Government contractors and vendors will be held in Providenciales and Grand Turk this April.

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing, Planning and Development will be hosting the summits, with virtual capacity for North and Middle Caicos, South Caicos and Salt Cay. Minister Akierra Missick, made the announcement during her

ministerial statement in the House of Assembly in Grand Turk on Tuesday, March 30.

She said the Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay summit is scheduled for Tuesday, April 20, while the Providenciales, North and Middle Caicos summit will be Thursday, April 22.

“More details of both events will be communicated shortly,” she said. “Contractors and vendors in those categories are

asked to look out for additional information and registration details.”

The summits were brought forward due to the bulk of oneon-one meetings requested since Missick was appointed as minister, she said. “This is the main discussion point and concern.”

“Further, we are reviewing the larger contract process as it fits within the Public Procurement Process and relevant ordinances.”

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

April 6-12, 2021

Regional News

The incident streamed on Facebook and YouTube on Thursday evening, took place at the Seventh-day Adventist Gospel Kreyol Ministry Church in Diquini.

AccuWeather is predicting 16 to 20 named storms for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season.

Forecasters predict ‘abovenormal’ 2021 hurricane season METEOROLOGISTS at AccuWeather have predicted that the 2021 hurricane season is expected to be an above-normal season for tropical storm activity in the Atlantic, but not see off-the-charts activity like last season.

The 2020 hurricane season produced a record-breaking 30 named storms. Thirteen were hurricanes and six developed into major hurricanes.

According to a team of tropical weather experts at AccuWeather, led by veteran meteorologist Dan Kottlowski, they predict 16 to 20

named storms for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season.

From this number 7 to 10 are projected to reach hurricane strength and about 3 to 5 are predicted to become major hurricanes.

“Current indications are this will be another above-normal season,” said Kottlowski, who is in his 45th year of issuing forecasts for AccuWeather.

“This can translate into high impacts on the United States.”

It was noted that water temperatures in the Atlantic are already above normal.

The report says waters in much of

the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic are also warmer than normal or around normal.

As of March 29, water temperatures off Key West, Florida, were around 81.5 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about five degrees above normal but not higher than temperatures recorded in 2020 which was 87.8 degrees around the same date.

The hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30; however, the National Hurricane Center has indicated that it will begin issuing tropical weather outlooks from May 15. (Loop Jamaica)

Bahamas: DNA ‘open to discussions’ with independent parties DEMOCRATIC National Alliance leader Arinthia Komolafe revealed last week that her party is “open to having discussions with independent parties” and viable independent candidates who share the same ideology and philosophy as the DNA. Her comments came after the Coalition of Independents, headed

by Lincoln Bain, issued a release calling for “third parties to put aside differences and unite for the sake of our nation”.

When asked if the DNA will unify with those independents to form a coalition, Mrs Komolafe expressed the party’s willingness to work with others.

She said at a press conference: “Well I’m on the record speaking on behalf of the leadership of the DNA that we are open to having discussions with independent parties

Democratic National Alliance Leader Arinthia Komolafe.

and viable independent candidates who share the same ideology and philosophy that we do, so that we can have a strong force in the next general election.

“And so the DNA has committed to putting forward a full slate of candidates, whether that is a full

slate of DNA standard bearers or that is a coalition of persons who are prepared to work with the DNA.” Mr Bain previously called for unity among third parties and expressed his willingness to even step down as leader of the independent group in order to achieve this as well.

Gunmen kidnap Haitian pastor and three others during Facebook live service GUNMEN kidnapped a Haitian pastor and three others during a ceremony that was streamed live on Facebook, media reported on Friday, with the footage widely shared on social media in a country plagued by soaring violence.

In the video, two choir members can be seen singing a hymn before they suddenly drop their mics and cower by the side of the altar. As piano music continues to play, a man wielding a rifle enters the screen and is seen taking them away.

The incident streamed on Facebook and YouTube on Thursday evening, took place at the Seventhday Adventist Gospel Kreyol Ministry Church in Diquini on the outskirts of the capital Port-au-

Prince, according to the Miami Herald newspaper.

Gregory M. Figaro, whose father, Greger Figaro, is the founder of the ministry, told the Miami Herald that eight to 10 gunmen arrived in two vehicles and kidnapped the pastor and three others, including a pianist.

“If this can happen, then anything is possible in the country because there is no respect for any institution, whether it’s a church or school,” Figaro said, according to the Miami Herald.

Haiti has been rocked by rising violence in recent years, especially by runaway kidnapping-for-ransom incidents which have paralyzed the economy and Haitian society.

(Reuters)

Bahamas: Additional charges for pair accused of human trafficking PROSECUTORS brought additional charges on Thursday against a man and woman who were last week accused of conspiring to sexually exploit two teenage girls through human trafficking.

On March 22, Jamalaya Roberts, 40, and Shamika Rolle, 28, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt, each faced with two counts of conspiracy to engage in human trafficking and transporting a person for the purpose of exploiting their prostitution.

Rolle was further charged with two additional counts of exploiting prostitution.

When they returned to court on Thursday for their bail hearing, the Department of Public Prosecutions brought additional charges against them.

This time, the Crown also accused Rolle of creating nude video recordings of the two 16-year-old girls on one of their mobile devices while at the Smith’s Motel and distributing nude video images of the

minors onto the internet sometime between February 28 and March 4.

Both accused were further charged with intentionally and unlawfully possessing the nude video images of the teenagers within that same timeframe.

During Roberts’ and Rolle’s first court appearance, the prosecution said the pair conspired to engage in the trafficking of the 16-year-olds.

The accused are also charged with conspiring to engage in the transportation of the teens in the country “for the purpose of prostitution”. At the time, Rolle was also accused of transporting the young girls for the “purpose of their exploitation”.

On Thursday, Rolle denied two counts each of production of child pornography and dissemination of child pornography, while both accused denied two counts of possession of child pornography.

The pair also maintained their not guilty pleas for the previous set of charges.

April 6-12, 2021

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

17

Regional News Bahamas: Defence force commander in quarantine after Covid exposure THE commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Commodore Raymond King, is in quarantine at home after he was exposed to COVID-19.

“Commodore King is experiencing mild symptoms and has been placed on quarantine at home,” according to a statement released from the Cabinet Office on Sunday.

“In his absence, deputy commander (of the) RBDF, Captain Shonedel Pinder, will manage the affairs of the defence force during Commodore King’s absence.

Commodore King’s immediate members of staff have been placed on quarantine.

The office spaces will be sanitized appropriately.”

This comes about two weeks after Commodore King was the first in the law enforcement agency to receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine when inoculations were carried out at the RBDF’s base.

As the first in the organisation to get vaccinated, Commodore King encouraged officers and marines to make the right decision.

“As a fighting force where personal readiness is of the utmost importance, it is critical, although voluntary, to

Commodore Raymond King is experiencing mild symptoms and has been placed on quarantine at home.

consider the implications linked to not being vaccinated, and exposed to the threats in the performance of our duties which require us to interact with other nationals at sea, where the risk is higher,” said Commodore King last month. “I, therefore, encourage other organisational members to follow my lead, as I lead from the front, and accept the vaccine to ensure your readiness as a fit and healthy force.” (Tribune242)

Jamaican baby born without limbs takes first steps IT WAS pure joy at the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre yesterday as four-year-old Mary took her first steps. Mary, a resident of the Missionaries of the Poor Nazareth Home, was born without limbs.

Winfield Boban, managing director of Surgix Jamaica Limited, located on the compound of the rehab centre, watched in awe yesterday as his prosthetic technicians set about helping Mary.

“Mary can be anyone in life, she can be anything. But all she needs is a chance,” said Boban, who added that the road to getting the girl’s arms and legs began last November after he was approached by Archbishop Joseph Harris for assistance.

Boban said that after meeting Mary for the first time, he saw it as “an awesome challenge to give her hands and feet, so that she can live a normal life.”

Mary was not shy to show how she can independently feed herself and properly sit without the assistance of her caregiver. She sat attentively listening to Boban’s conversation, often sharing a smile or shedding a tear. Her faint greeting of “Hi!” to our news team warmed the hearts of everyone in the room.

The prosthetic technicians at Surgix, Lasana Pyrce, Tutu Campbell and Orlando Brown were tasked with designing legs for Mary and they could be seen busily finishing up the legs to ensure they would fit. The cost for her prosthetics was covered

by Surgix, but Boban explained that it would cost millions to seek rehabilitation overseas for the child.

“Once we get her up and moving she will be just fine,” Boban said, as Mary smiled. Yesterday, after months of preparation, it was time to fit Mary’s legs. She couldn’t hide her excitement. Carefully, as the technicians fitted her legs, Mary watched attentively, her focus fixed

Caregiver Rose helps Mary take her first step after being fitted with prosthetic legs at Surgix Jamaica, located on the compound of the Sir John Golding Rehab Centre, Mona, on Thursday.

on her shiny new shoes. Boban said that in the early stages she will feel a little pressure as her body gets accustomed to the legs. He added that as she grows, her legs will have to be upgraded but this is the first step in getting her to walk.

Mary, with the assistance of her caregivers Miss Pryce and Miss Rose, anxiously took her first steps.

It was a nervous moment for her and she cried a little.

Rose could not hide her emotions as seeing her ‘daughter’ walk was pure happiness. The next phase of

rehabilitation for Mary is getting hands, which will happen in another month.

“It is good day, it is an awesome thing to see she walk for the first time. She can do it but it’s just the challenge of her getting used to it and getting those limbs moving, but we will keep her monitored. Her next sessions, which will be weekly, will see her undergoing physiotherapy with Dr Deandra Dallas, here at Surgix. But it is just a good move and I feel good,” Boban told THE WEEKEND STAR. (Jamaica Star)

Cayman: Hurricane Ivan-era governor passes away On Sunday they were over 650 active cases.

CDC changes Bermuda Covid-19 status to Level 4 THE US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today changed Bermuda’s Covid status to very high.

A spokeswoman for the US Consulate General said: “The CDC has adjusted the Travel Health Notice for Bermuda, changing its status from Level 2 to Level 4, Covid-19 Very High. The adjustment follows

Bermuda’s recent increase in active cases.”

She added: “The US Consulate continues to engage with the CDC and US Department of State, providing updates on Bermuda’s status during the pandemic, safety protocols and testing regime for residents and visitors.

BRUCE Dinwiddy, who served as governor of the Cayman Islands from 2002 until 2005, passed away on Thursday, at age 75.

Governor Martyn Roper posted a tribute on his Facebook page on Thursday, noting Dinwiddy’s tenure in Cayman “coincided with the difficult period of Hurricane Ivan and its aftermath” Roper stated this was “an incredibly challenging period for him and everybody on our Islands”.

Premier Alden McLaughlin followed suit with his tribute, stating “The people of the Cayman Islands will always remember him for his many contributions to assist our community after the passage of Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

Former governor of the Cayman Islands Bruce Dinwiddy passed away Thursday, 1 April.

His compassion, humility and commitment to serving the Cayman Islands will never be forgotten.”

Dinwiddy served as Governor for three and a half years. His term saw major controversies develop

concerning the Euro Bank trial, the implementation of the European Union Savings Tax Directive, rising crime and the Cabinet Caymanian Status Grants.

Roper, in his statement, notes Dinwiddy’s contribution to relations between Cayman and the UK, particularly in “preparation for future natural disasters”.

Roper says: “I know from discussions with many people across our Islands that he is fondly remembered for his kindness and affection for these Islands. He continued to support Cayman after his departure working closely with the Friends of Cayman (I met him at their London dinner in 2018 shortly after becoming Governor).”

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World News

April 6-12, 2021

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Yellen calls for minimum global corporate income tax U.S. TREASURY Secretary Janet Yellen on Monday urged the adoption of a minimum global corporate income tax, an effort to at least partially offset any disadvantages that might arise from the Biden administration’s proposed increase in the U.S. corporate tax rate.

Citing a “30-year race to the bottom” in which countries have slashed corporate tax rates in an effort to attract multinational businesses, Yellen said the Biden administration would work with other advanced economies in the Group of 20 to set a minimum.

“Competitiveness is about more than how U.S.-headquartered companies fare against other companies in global merger and acquisition bids,” Yellen said in a virtual speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. “It is about making sure that governments have stable tax systems that raise sufficient revenue to invest in essential public goods.”

The speech was Yellen’s highestprofile so far on international affairs,

and came just as the spring meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund began in a virtual format.

“It is important to work with other countries to end the pressures of tax competition and corporate tax base erosion,” Yellen said.

President Joe Biden has proposed hiking the U.S. corporate tax rate to 28% from 21%, partially undoing the Trump administration’s cut from 35% in its 2017 tax legislation.

Biden also wants to set a minimum U.S. tax on overseas corporate income, and to make it harder for companies to shift earnings offshore.

The increase would help pay for the White House’s ambitious $2.3 trillion infrastructure proposal.

Yellen’s remarks essentially serve as an endorsement of negotiations that have been underway at the 37-nation Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development for roughly two years, said Alan Auerbach, an economist at the University of California at Berkeley.

Biden’s U.S. corporate tax

The speech was Janet Yellen’s highestprofile so far on international affairs.

proposal includes an increase to the U.S. minimum tax that was included in Trump’s tax law, from 10.5% to 21%. One focus of the OECD talks is whether other countries will adopt similar minimums. Biden’s corporate tax measure would also penalize

Chauvin violated policy, Minneapolis police chief says THE police chief of Minneapolis has testified that ex-officer Derek Chauvin violated the agency’s policy on force during the arrest of George Floyd.

Chief Medaria Arradondo said the way Mr Chauvin restrained Mr Floyd was not in line with training and “certainly not part of our ethics and our values”.

The chief fired Mr Chauvin and the three other officers involved days after Mr Floyd’s death last May. Mr Chauvin, who is on trial for murder, has denied the charges against him.

Footage of Mr Chauvin, who is white, kneeling on AfricanAmerican Mr Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes last year sparked global protests against racism.

Monday marks the sixth day in Mr Chauvin’s trial, which is expected to last for at least one month.

As police officers are rarely convicted or charged at all for deaths that occur in custody, the verdict in this trial is being seen as an indication of how the US legal system will treat such cases in future.

WHAT DID THE POLICE CHIEF SAY? Prosecutors, who are seeking to prove that Mr Chauvin’s actions violated his training, focused their questions on departmental guidelines and strategies taught to help officers de-escalate situations.

Mr Arradondo told the court Mr Floyd should not have been

Chief Arradondo’s testimony is rare in a case involving former officers.

restrained in the manner used by the officers after he stopped resisting, “and certainly [not] once he was in distress”.

He said the type of restraint Mr Chauvin, 45, was using came “once there was no longer any resistance and clearly after Mr Floyd was no longer responsive - and even motionless”.

“That is, in no way, shape or form, by policy, is not part of our training, and is certainly not part of our ethics and our values.”

Mr Arradondo also noted it would be rare for officers to take into custody a suspect accused of passing a counterfeit bill, as Mr Floyd was.

The police chief said “talking your way out of a situation” was always better than using force, adding that officers may seek the “community’s

help” when available.

Defence lawyer Eric Nelson questioned Mr Arradondo about officers brandishing a weapon to defuse a situation, as Mr Chauvin did by holding up pepper spray to onlookers.

“Sometimes an officer has to take out his gun, and say, ‘hey, if you don’t listen to me, I’m going use force,’” Mr Nelson said.

The chief agreed it was in line with policy to sometimes gesture in such a way to get a suspect to back down.

When Mr Nelson showed different angles of footage of the arrest, Mr Arradondo also noted that right before the paramedics arrived, it appeared that Mr Chauvin had shifted his knee onto Mr Floyd’s shoulder blade.

other countries without a minimum corporate tax by more heavily taxing their subsidiaries in the U.S. Auerbach said that the OECD has helped foster other agreements around issues such as bank secrecy.

“There is precedent for this sort of thing,” Auerbach said. “But this would be a big deal because it would get countries to coordinate their tax systems in ways they haven’t before.”

Also on Monday, Biden said he is “not at all” concerned that a higher corporate tax rate would cause some U.S. companies to relocate overseas, though Yellen’s proposed global minimum corporate tax is intended

to prevent that from happening.

“There’s no evidence to that ... that’s bizarre,” Biden said in response to a question from reporters.

According to the Tax Foundation, a right-leaning think tank, the Trump administration’s corporate tax reduction lowered the U.S. rate from the highest among the OECD countries to the 13th highest. Many analysts have argued, however, that few large U.S. multinationals paid the full tax.

“We have 51 or 52 corporations from the Fortune 500 who haven’t paid a single penny a day for three years?” Biden said. “Come on.”

Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Penn., said that Yellen’s proposal was unlikely to make much progress overseas.

He also said Republicans should reverse any corporate tax hike if they regain a congressional majority in upcoming elections.

“Spoiler alert: This effort will likely fail and even if there is some sort of agreement, it will be nonbinding because it is not a treaty,” Toomey said.

Yellen, meanwhile, downplayed the potential for the Biden administration’s domestic agenda, which also includes a $1.9 trillion COVID relief package approved last month, to spur higher inflation.

Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, among others, has raised such concerns since the relief bill passed.

Brazil has the suffered the second highest death toll from Covid-19 in the world.

Brazil: More than 65,000 people died of Covid-19 in March Some 66,570 people in Brazil died of Covid-19 in March, more than double the previous monthly record, figures show.

The country’s health service has been pushed to the brink as cases of the virus continue to climb.

President Jair Bolsonaro has faced intense criticism for his handling of the crisis and was hit by high-profile resignations this week.

But on Wednesday he again railed against lockdown measures imposed by local governors and mayors.

“We had, and we have, two enemies - the virus and

unemployment! It is a reality! We are not going to solve this problem by staying at home,” he said.

Wednesday also saw a further 3,800 new deaths and over 90,000 new coronavirus cases. Brazil’s daily deaths currently account for about a quarter of all coronavirus fatalities in the world.

New chiefs of the army, navy and air force were announced on Wednesday to replace those who resigned on Tuesday in an apparent protest at the sudden sacking of Defence Minister Fernando Azevedo e Silva.

April 6-12, 2021

World News

Police in Belgium have seized 27.64 tons of cocaine at the port of Antwerp in the the six weeks since February 20.

Nearly 28 tons of cocaine seized after police access encrypted network POLICE in Belgium say they have seized almost 28 tons of cocaine with a street value of 1.4 billion euros ($1.65 billion) after gaining access to an encrypted phone network used by criminals.

In the six weeks since February 20, police seized 27.64 tons of cocaine at the port of Antwerp, including a record shipment of almost 11 tons overnight from 2-3 April, said Belgian Federal Police in a statement Monday.

Police specialists gained access to encrypted messages from an encrypted messaging service called Sky ECC, which revealed

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

detailed information about cocaine shipments, said the statement.

“During a judicial investigation into a potential service criminal organization suspected of knowingly providing encrypted telephones to the criminal environment, police specialists managed to crack the encrypted messages from Sky ECC,” reads the statement.

“This data provides elements in current files, but also opened up new criminal offenses. The international smuggling of cocaine batches plays a prominent role in intercepted reports.” (CNN)

The government hopes to reopen international travel on 17 May, but is yet to make a final decision.

Test travel regime must be easy and cheap, says PM Johnson BORIS Johnson says any testing regime for international travel should be easy and cheap, after the boss of EasyJet criticised new government plans.

The prime minister also said vaccine passports would be a “fact of life” for people travelling internationally in future.

The government hopes to reopen international travel on 17 May, but is yet to make a final decision.

However, the prime minister said he had “not given up” on the idea.

Under plans outlined on Sunday, destinations would be classed as green, amber or red based on their

Covid infection rates and vaccination coverage.

No isolation would be necessary on return to the UK from green countries, but pre-departure and post-arrival tests would be required, potentially costing up to £200 each.

But earlier on Tuesday, EasyJet boss Johan Lundgren told the BBC this would make travel too expensive, with the tests costing as much or more than a flight in some cases.

Asked about the comments, and whether cheaper lateral flow tests could replace PCR tests in the plans, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

“I do think we want to make things as easy as we possibly can.

“The boss of EasyJet is right to focus on this issue, we’re going to see what we can do to make things as flexible and as affordable as possible.”

Mr Lundgren told the BBC that if costs were not reduced, the government “wouldn’t open up international travel for everyone, but only those who can afford it.

“If you are ticking all of those boxes to become a green destination… [multiple tests] don’t make sense to me and it would add to cost and complexities.”

Covid in Scotland: Secondary schools to return full time after Easter

King Abdullah (L) and then-Crown Prince Hamzah pictured at Amman airport in August 2000.

Jordan bans social media chatter on royal family drama JORDAN has imposed a ban on the publication of anything related to the royal family drama that has rattled the country in recent days, as the king moves to draw a line under the crisis.

The saga began over the weekend, when Jordanian authorities detained around 15 people, including a highprofile political figure and at least one member of the royal family.

A popular former crown prince, Hamzah bin Al Hussein, publicly criticized Jordan’s leadership in a video sent to the media, and was publicly banned from political

activities.

The prince, who is the halfbrother of King Abdullah, claimed to have been have been placed under effective house arrest.

Authorities said they had foiled a plot in which Hamzah was working in collusion with unnamed foreign entities to “destabilize” Jordan.

The prince denied the claims and dismissed the arrest sweep as a bid to silence growing criticism of government corruption.

On Tuesday, the Jordanian government moved to impose a gag order around Hamzah’s case.

SECONDARY schools in Scotland will reopen full time as planned after the Easter holidays, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.

Primary schools had already resumed full-time teaching before the holidays, but a blended learning system had been used in secondary schools.

Ms Sturgeon said “virtually all” secondary pupils would return to the classroom after the Easter holidays.

The only exception is for those pupils in the shielding category.

“We are continuing to recommend that they stay at home until April 26, and that’s in line with the advice already received from the chief medical officer,” said Ms Sturgeon.

She said the return to in-person, full-time learning would be “a huge relief” to many children and parents.

The first minister also told the coronavirus briefing that the first batch of the newly-approved Moderna vaccine had arrived in Scotland.

Scotland is due to receive more than one million of the 17 million doses ordered by the UK.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said “virtually all” secondary pupils would return to the classroom after the Easter holidays.

“The fact that we now have three vaccines in use is clearly very welcome and it does give us greater security of supply which is welcome,” she said.

Responding to questions about the prospect of introducing vaccine passports for those who have had their jab, Ms Sturgeon said it was important “not to close our minds”

to the idea.

She said that if the public are to have confidence in any future certification process, time must be taken to “air all of the challenges”.

“We all want to get back to normal, so anything that can play a part in getting us back to normal is something we should think about very carefully,” she said.

20 NEWS

April 6-12, 2021

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Tourist Board announces winners of virtual kite comp This year’s annual Kite Flying Competition hosted by the TCI Tourist Board, was held virtually to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Residents were invited to build kites at home and send in photographs of their colourful creations to be posted on Facebook and be voted on by the general

public.

The judging was held on Monday, April 5, between 12pm and 12am and the results were announced as soon as the votes – in the

form of photo likes - had been counted.

Winning first place for Most Artistic Kite in the 29th competition was Bill Garvey Grant, with second place going to Laila Reynolds.

The prize for Best Mommy and Me Kite went to Merlissa Francis in first place and Lavern, Laila and

Liberty Reynolds in second place.

Coming first in Best Daddy and Me Kite was Ricky James with Deon and Aaron Rodney in second place.

And finally, Best Traditional Kite went to Aaron Rodney in first place and Htenneb Williams in second place.

In each category, the firstplace winner received $300 and the second-place winner was awarded $150.

“We look forward to continuing to promote the tradition of handmade kites in the TCI and hosting our usual Kite Flying Competition in 2022,” the Tourist Board said in a Facebook post.

BARBARA FRANCIS

Has Retired

For the past thirty-five years your family had to share you with many strangers who very rapidly became friends and loved ones, we have watched you had done more than just teach and educate the minds of young ones.

We watch you sweep into the lives of many students and parents and filled it with love, laughter, care, knowledge and most importantly, education.

You have impacted the lives of many, and you shared yourself with many that will forever remember you, and not only because you are one of the best at what you do, but because you have become so special in many lives.

Bill Garvey Grant was the winner of Most Artistic Kite (TCI Tourist Board)

We are proud of you, not only as a teacher, but as a friend, a mother, a grand-mother, and great grand-mother. We are proud to say that we know you and we are sure you will be beyond missed in the educational system.

We would also like to thank the International School of the Turks and Caicos for sending you out with a bang by renaming the nursey after you as the ‘Ms. Barbara Francis Nursery”, you deserved it very much! We want you know that you are loved, your honored, and we appreciate you.

Congratulations on the retirement of your well-loved and achieved career journey, you will be missed.

Love: your children, grandchildren and your great grandchildren.

Best Traditional Kite prize went to Aaron Rodney (TCI Tourist Board)

April 6-12, 2021

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS 21

22 NEWS

April 6-12, 2021

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

FOOD 

GARDENING 

Young chef and musician Kenlove Taus

A young chef with music in his veins

BY JAGO MOORE

Chef Jago Moore has been in the industry for over 12 years. He’s the winner of TCI Top Chef 2018 and Lobster Fest 2018, a member of the TCI Culinary Team, and owner of Moores Fries and Moores Cookies. Visit chefmoore649 and tciculinarycollection on Instagram to find out more.

TCI Culinary Collection has the honour of showcasing young and upcoming chef Kenlove Taus.

Growing up in the nation’s capital of Grand Turk, food was always in the conversation. A talented saxophonist and guitarist, he also had music in his veins.

First learning how to make donuts in food and nutrition lessons in high school, he was hooked, graduating at the top of his class.

Continuing his studies of the hospitality and culinary arts at Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, he strived for excellence.

After successfully completing internships at resorts, such as the Gansevoort, Regent Palms, Beach House and Blue Haven, he continued his culinary career as a villa chef for four years at Villa Oasis.

Planning menus, designing plates and catering to his numerous clients’ dietary requirements, are some of his daily activities.

He said: “You have to be a fighter to survive in this industry, it’s not for the weak.”

Please show this young chef your love and support.

One of Kenlove Taus’ signature plates

As it feeds and develops, the leaf miner larva leaves a trail (Wikipedia)

Leaf miners

Citrus and tomato are commonly affected by leaf miners. A leaf miner is a very small, light-coloured moth, less than a quarter of an inch long.

It has silvery and white iridescent forewings with brown and white markings and a distinct black spot on each wing tip. The hind wings and body are white, with long fringe scales extending from the hindwing margins.

The larval stage is found only inside the mines of citrus leaves and other closely related plants.

As it feeds and develops, the larva leaves a trail, observed as a thin dark line, inside the meandering serpentine mine just under the surface of the leaf. This visual characteristic is used to help identify the pest.

Citrus leaf miners can survive as larvae only in the tender, young, shiny leaf flush of the citrus and closely related species. Older leaves that have hardened off are not susceptible unless extremely high populations are present.

The larvae mine inside the lower or upper surface of newly emerging leaves, causing them to curl and look distorted.

Mature trees that have a dense canopy of older foliage to sustain them can tolerate damage on new leaves during part of the growing season with negligible effect on tree growth and fruit yield.

BY DENIS BELANGER - NATURE SPLENDOR

Denis is a passionate landscape architect who enjoys the creative process and his clients’ joy when projects come to life. Contact Denis at Nature Splendor for your landscaping, installation or garden maintenance needs.

For more information call 332-3381 or email denisbgarden@gmail.com or visit the Facebook page Nature Splendor.

Very young trees do not have much mature foliage and they produce more flush year-round, thereby supporting larger citrus leaf miner populations.

Young trees may experience a reduction in growth. However, even young trees with heavy leaf miner populations are unlikely to die.

Using traps baited with a pheromone (insect sex attractant) is a useful tool for detecting leaf miners, determining when moths are flying and depositing eggs, and timing insecticide applications.

However, they do not catch enough of the population to be used for control. Only male moths are drawn to the pheromone and become caught in the trap’s sticky coating.

Avoid pruning live branches more than once a year, so that the cycles of flushing are uniform and short. Once the leaves harden, the pest will not be able to mine the leaves.

Do not prune off leaves damaged by citrus leaf miner since undamaged areas of leaves continue to produce food for the tree.

Do not apply nitrogen fertiliser at times of the year when leaf miner populations are high and

flush growth will be severely damaged, such as in the summer and fall.

Many insecticides registered for residential use do not effectively control citrus leaf miner, because they have difficulty reaching the larvae inside the mines.

Insecticide products that contain the natural insecticides azadirachtin or spinosad show some efficacy against larvae and are safe for natural enemies.

However, the residues do not last very long, and these insecticides might need to be reapplied every week.

Imidacloprid applied to the ground at the base of citrus trees provides the longest period of control, one to two months.

Imidacloprid should only be applied once a year.

Imidacloprid applications should be timed to protect periods of leaf flushing, such as in the spring.

Frequent use of broadspectrum insecticides such as malathion, carbaryl, and pyrethroids are not recommended as they will kill beneficial insects and can result in a build-up of whiteflies, scale insects, and other citrus pests.

April 6-12, 2021

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

23

24

ENTERTAINMENT

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

April 6-12, 2021

Boseman and three other actors of colour make history at SAG Awards THE late Chadwick Boseman added to his awards-season haul Sunday with a Screen Actors Guild Award, as three other actors of color took home top honors.

For the first time in SAG Awards history, each of the four movie honors for individual actors went to performers of colour; Boseman won best actor for his portrayal of a headstrong horn player in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”

His co-star Viola Davis, who plays blues icon Ma Rainey, won best actress for the movie, which centers on a contentious recording

session during the 1920s.

Daniel Kaluuya won best supporting actor for playing Black Panther Party Chairman Fred Hampton in the historical drama “Judas and the Black Messiah,” while Yuh-Jung Youn was named best supporting actress for her performance as a grandmother in “Minari,” about a Korean-American family determined to start a new life in rural Arkansas.

“If you see the world unbalanced, be a crusader that pushes heavily on the seesaw of the mind,” Boseman’s wife, Simone Ledward Boseman said

Chadwick Boseman as Levee in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”

during a video-streamed acceptance on his behalf. “That’s a quote by Chadwick Boseman.”

Sunday’s top honor of outstanding cast in a motion picture went to “The

Trial of the Chicago 7,” a historical drama about Vietnam War protesters.

Boseman, who died last year at 43 after a private four-year batter with colon cancer, made history before Sunday’s ceremony as the first actor to be nominated for four movie honors at a single SAG Awards ceremony.

He was also up for best supporting actor for the Spike Lee directed war drama “Da 5 Bloods.” His other nods came as part of the outstanding cast nominations for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Da 5 Bloods.”

During his acceptance speech Sunday, Kaluuya dedicated his award to both Hampton and Boseman, whom he starred alongside in the 2018 Marvel superhero movie

“Black Panther.” Davis, meanwhile, hailed “the beautiful Chadwick Boseman” during her speech.

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” marked the final movie of Boseman’s career, and his performance has also won honors at the Golden Globes, NAACP Image Awards and Critics Choice Awards.

The virtual SAG Awards ceremony was pretaped and shortened to an hour due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nominees were informed who won their respective categories before Sunday’s broadcast on TNT and TBS, allowing the victors to provide speeches ahead of time.

The awards were voted on by members of the Screen Actors Guild.

(NYDailynews)

HEAVY DUTY VEHICLE AUCTION Sun Oil Turks & Caicos Limited is accepting bids on used heavy-duty vehicles. All vehicles are being offered on an “AS IS, WHERE IS” basis. Bidders are encouraged to perform their own inspections on or before April 9th, 2021. Inspections are by appointment only, kindly contact us at 649- 946-4377 to arrange.

Further terms and conditions are outlined on the bid portal which can be accessed as outlined below:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KLH8535 Auction closes at 5PM, APRIL 12th, 2021

Zendaya will voice Lola Bunny.

Zendaya will voice ‘fully-realised’ Lola Bunny in ‘Space Jam’ sequel ZENDAYA will lend her A-list status to the already hotly anticipated ‘Space Jam’ sequel, Entertainment Weekly reported in an exclusive Saturday afternoon.

The Emmy-winning “Euphoria” star will voice Lola Bunny, who director Malcolm D. Lee aims to depict in a more “fully realised” way than the 1996 original, in which the character was voiced by Kath Soucie.

“This is a kids’ movie, why is she in a crop top? It just felt unnecessary, but at the same time there’s a long history of that in cartoons,” the “Girls

Trip” director told the magazine of his first time watching the hybrid live-action and animated film.

“Space Jam: A New Legacy,” on the other hand, will see the rabbit as not just donning shorts of “an appropriate length” but having “a real voice,” which will be “feminine without being objectified.

“For us, it was, let’s ground her athletic prowess, her leadership skills, and make her as full a character as the others,” said Lee. Shortly after news broke, Zendaya took to her Instagram Story to share a poster for the film, featuring Lola.

April 6-12, 2021

Classifieds

25

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

JOB LISTINGS SERVICES AUTO SALES REAL ESTATE

946-4664 Fax: 946-4661

Email: tcnews@tciway.tc

Website: tcweeklynews.com

FLOWER GIRL

WANTED URGENTLY

FLORAL DESIGNER

Must have thorough knowledge in the floral business with 3-5 years experience.

Call: 231-3788

GET LEGAL HELP ON YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM

DELIVERY BOY

CALL OR EMAIL US AT

We are in need of a young man to deliver bills, pick up checks and distribute newspapers. Must be honest and have a clean driver’s license.

duncansonlaw@gmail.com duncansonlaw.office@gmail.com 649-941-4444/ 649-245-1314/649-348-5744 DUNCANSON & CO BARRISTERS & ATTORNEYS 16121

Contact the Publisher at tcweeklynews@gmail.com

26 CLASSIFIEDS ALDERAY VANESSA GARDINER Boddle Way, Blue Hills Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER

ALL SERVICES TCI Acting on behalf

HYNETTA FORBES Ball Park Rd, Down Town

2 HELPERS - $6.50 HOURLY

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and door frames. Salary: $6.25 hourly

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and door frames.

CONTACT: 346-6466

CONTACT: 331-3937

5 MANUFACTURES - $7 HOURLY

NEMOURS SHELL AFFAIRS

Second Mara, Blue Hills

VELMA SMITH

Back Salina, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

Duties: Regular housekeeping which includes Cleaning, mopping Dusting, sweeping and Assist with Caring for an elder person any other Chores as needed. SALARY: $6.50 per hour for each.

CONTACT: 246-0889

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position

Asssiting in making soaps, shampoo, hand santizers, etc.

CONTACT: 331-7073

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board 24746

Belongers are encouraged to Send a copy of their resume To the Labour Board. This position Is currently held by a work permit holder. 24779

DJA STORE

DEREK JARRAD WILSON

DENIS PROSPER

24743

BACK OF MAX MINI MART, KEW TOWN Is seeking a

SALES CLERK

PHASE 2, BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER

Back Salina, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and door frames. Salary: $6.50 hourly

• Greets customers, receive payment by cash, checks and credit cards, Issue receipts, and change due to customers. Count money in cash drawers to ensure that amounts are correct.

• To work 5 days a week.

Salary: $6.25 hourly

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and door frames. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 345-0349

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24785

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24753

ELKANAH HALL

ER CLEANING SERVICES LTD

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24788

EASY WAY EMPLOYMENT SERVICES ACTING ON BEHALF OF R& L CONSTRUCTION JUNE HILLS, BLUE HILLS 3331236

TILE SETTER

$9.00 HOURLY Install tiles on different surfaces.

CONTACT: 245-1522

NORTH BACK SALINA, GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

ARROW ENGINEERING & ASPHALT

Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. Salary: $6.50 hourly

LABOURER

CONTACT: 243-2874

DOREEN'S PLACE

BLUE HILLS, ON THE BEACH 232-5964

KITCHEN HELPER

$300 WEEKLY Preparing the workstation. Cleaning kitchen.

332-6872 South Dock

$6.50 hourly Set up equipment, erect scaffolding, mixing concrete, etc.

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. WORK PERMIT RENEWALS 24735

LOCAL FRATELLO VENETIAN ROAD Is seeking to employ a

CHEF

Setting up workstations with all needed ingredients and cooking equipment.

Preparing ingredients to use in cooking chopping and peeling vegetables, cutting meat etc. Cooking food in various utensils or grillers.

Salary: $8.25 hourly

CONTACT: 243-5353

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 24772

April 6-12, 2021

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24752

L&A TOURIST SHOPPING TRADE

RESIDENCE, FIVE CAYS Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

• Sweeping, mopping the floor, and other work.

• Must be willing to work 5 days a week.

Salary: $7 hourly

CONTACT: 3422986 OR 242-8751

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24771

CONTACT: 242-1307

28 Oyster Lane, The Bight Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

• Must be able to bend and lift.

• Cleaning consist of mopping, sweeping, ensuring office areas are clean and up to par.

Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 333-1246

BEAUTI FLY SALON KEW TOWN PLAZA, BLACK CROW ROAD Is seeking to employ a

SUPERVISOR Supervising staff in the salon and scheduling work hours. Salary: $9 hourly

CONTACT: 344-4801

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position

24754

CONTACT 345-7285

or email your resume to Kornellcarter@gmail. com Belongers are encouraged to submit a copy of their resume to the Labour Department

24774

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24755

Unit #5 Rony Eli Plaza, 576 millennium Hgwy Is seeking to employ a

BAKER

Measure and mix raw ingredients, bake and decorate items, and ensure that all raw and finished goods adhere to quality and food safety standards.

Salary: $1,200 monthly

CONTACT: 241-6646

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24730

E&V CONSTRUCTION GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a

Duties: Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, door frames. To work 5 days a week. Salary: $7 per hourly

Duties: Work in different site in the construction of small houses in area. To work 6 days a week.

Salary: $7 per hourly

CONTACT: (649) 242 1358

CONTACT: (649) 341 1299 Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder.

24748

Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder. 24749

GRANT’S PETROLEUM

#771 Leeward Highway, P.O Box 477, Providenciales Is seeking

HIGGS CONSTRUCTION LTD.

13 Aviation Drive, Goerre Williams Complex, Providenciales Is seeking

SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER

PUMP ATTENDANT

CONSTRUCTION LABOURER

EXTRAORDINARY MINDS LEARNING CENTER

• To tutor students with special needs • Must be willing to work 5 days a week.

Salary: $1,800 monthly

CONTACT: 232-1473

KENDRA HALL

in child care, Ensuring a safe environment, feeding, dressing, bathing, preparing meal and administering medication.

Salary @6.50 per hour

CONTACT: 246-6120

BLUE HILLS BAKERY

LABOURER MASON

KORNELL CARTER

BABYSITTER Must have experience

HAIR DRESSER

Shampooing, cutting, and styling hair, provide hair treatments, including deep conditioning, permanents, hair coloring, and weaving.

Salary: $7.50 hourly.

GRAND TURK, BACK SALINA Is seeking to employ a

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. The positions is currently held by a work permit holder

4 Ole Ch Street, Five Cays First time

NORTH BACK SALINA, GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a

MAGALIE JEAN MOREAU

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position

24736

BEAUTIFUL BRAIDS

24781

LONG BAY Is seeking to employ a

2 DOMESTIC WORKERS

Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 231-7242

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24729

To fuel up customer tank and storage tank, clean and maintain the work area, stock shelves and freezers.

Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 343-4671

Bottle Creek, North Caicos Is seeking to employ a

• Removing debris from site, mixing mortar, loading and off-loading materials etc.

• To work Monday-Friday 7am to 5pm Salary: $6.25 hourly CONTACT: 243-2491 EMAIL: N_V_IGGS@HOTMAIL.COM

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently hold this position

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 24744

KAHALIA CAPRON

KABATHA SMITH

24760

12 Black Crow, Kew Town Is seeking to employ a

BABYSITTER

Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, and disciplining children when necessary. Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 331-2825

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 24783

PROVIDENCIALES Seeking to Employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

• Caring for young child 4 years old • Sweeping and mopping the floors • Clean Bathrooms, Kitchen, Bedrooms, • Do laundry and other house work To work 6 Days per week Salary: $6.50 hourly.

CONTACT : 332-3106

Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to the labour board.

247746

April 6-12, 2021

CLASSIFIEDS 27

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

BLUE HILLS CONSTRUCTION

#11 WILSON CIRCLE BACK ROAD, BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ a

2 LABOURERS

Set up equipment, run lines for power tools, erect scaffolding, lay out tools, mixing concrete, hand tools to workers, and cleaning work site. Salary: $7-$10 hourly

CONTACT: 346-0002

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position

24758

JAMEL HAWKINS #5 Oyster lane, The Bight Is seeking to employ a

BRANDFORD HALL Airport Road, South Caicos Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER

• Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and door frames. Cares for garden on a daily basis.

• 6 days a week.

Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 348-3581 OR 243-1051

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24787

JOSEPH FABIAN FRANCIS #68 Tampa Ave, Blue Hills Is seeking to employ a

ELECTRICIAN Install and maintain wiring, control, and lighting systems. Inspect transformers and circuit breakers. Identify electrical problems with a variety of testing devices.

Salary: $7.50 hourly

CONTACT: 243-4309

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 24773

BUY WISE BEAUTY SUPPLY 71 Paradise Road, Cooper Jack Bay, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a

JEWELRY ARTIST

Make Jewelry such as necklace, bracelets etc.

Salary: $8.50 per hour.

Must be willing to work 6 days per week

CONTACT: 243-8574

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24737

JULIEN LANDSCAPING MANAGEMENT SERVICES

#24 behind Mara, Blue Hills Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER

NANNY Taking care of children, and doing housework. Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 343-6577

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 24784

• Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and door frames.

• To work 5 days a week.

Salary: $7 hourly

CONTACT: 244-8372

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. Work permit holders currently holds this position 24739

CHANDRA HAMILTON PARADISE ROAD, GLASS SHACK, PROVIDENCIALES

DOMESTIC WORKER

Duties: Regular housekeeping which includes Cleaning mopping dusting, sweeping and assisting with cooking and any other chores. Salary: $6.50 per hour.

CONTACT 242-5686

CLIMATECH LTD

AC TECHNICIAN

To be held by a work permit holder • Install, inspect, maintain, and repair air conditioner.

• Ventilate equipment and controls making sure they operate efficiently and continuously.

• Perform regular maintenance work on cooling units.

• Install, replace, or repair equipment that has been damaged.

• Install new air-conditioning systems and equipment.

• Inspect and maintain refrigerators and ice machines • Clean blowers and coils, check tensions of belts and motors.

• Rate $10 per hour

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. RENEWAL 24742

ADDRESS: 636 INDUSTRIAL PARK, PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS AND PLEASE DROP OFF RESUME TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, PROVIDENCIALES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. CONTACT 231-4545 24731

CRISMARKIS DIAZ

CLOVERLEAF AGENCY-246-7382

East Circle, Leeward Palms Is seeking to employ a

BABYSITTER

Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, and disciplining children when necessary. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 247-9250

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 24770

Whitby, North Caicos

AGNES SWANN

Whitby, North Caicos

MAINTENANCE (RENEWAL)

Fix and maintain building, and machines.

Rate: $8.00 hr

GRACE DIANA GLASGOW

DOMESTIC WORKER (NEW)

Description: cleaning house, running errands and cooking Pay: 7.00 hr

ARNOLD GARDINER

Major Hill, North Caicos

LABOURER (RENEWAL)

Rate: $6.50 hr Description: Cleaning and weeding yard, moving trash, washing windows

MOUNT LEBENON BAPTIST CHURCH

HELPER (RENEWAL)

Pay: 6.50 hr Description: A variety of tasks, cleaning the church, cleaning the church yard

ELIZABETH SWANN

Whitby, North Caicos

1 LABOURER (RENEWAL)

Rate: $6.50 per hr Weeding yard, moving trash, washing windows

24764

MAC MOTORS LTD.

D&B AUTO LTD

Shamrack Plaza, Industrial Park, Providenciales – Turks & Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 941-8438 | Fax: (649) 941-7387 | Email: dnbautoparts@tciway.tc D&B Auto Ltd. is currently looking for a suitably qualified person to the role of:

Auto Mechanic • At least 6 years or more experience as an Auto Mechanic • Must be able to perform all vehicle diagnostics and updates using diagnostic equipment.

• Able to maintain vehicle functional condition by listening to customers/ operator complaints, conduct inspections, repair engine failures, repair mechanical and electrical systems malfunctions and replace parts and components according to manufacturer standards specially Japanese vehicles.

• Keeps shop equipment operating by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, maintaining supplies and perform preventive maintenance.

• Must hold a valid driver license with a clean, insurable, driving record, must be able to drive manual and automatic transmissions.

• Knowledge of tools and equipment required to conduct all repairs.

• Basic wage is $9.00 per hour

Mechanic Helper • • • • •

Must have six months of prior work experience Assist Head Mechanic in servicing and repairing customer cars Must be able to work flexible hours Able to use cleaning devices/equipment for washing vehicles Knowledgeable on basic auto maintenance and repair and has ability to perform such tasks as prescribed.

• Able to assist in performing maintenance and repair of different variety of vehicle.

• Basic wage is $7.00 per hour

DOMESTIC WORKER • Clean Showroom & Bathrooms • Clean kitchen, takeout garbage • Must be willing to work on weekends/holidays • Must have a clean TI police record and a drivers license This Ad is for work permit renewal. However, this position is open to all suitable Turks & Caicos Islanders.

Starting Wage: $6.25/hour Drop your resume off at Mac Motors Ltd. 1089 Leeward Highway, Providenciales TCI or contact us on 649-339-3841

BODY REPAIR MECHANIC APPLICANT MUST: • Examine damaged vehicles and estimate needed repairs • Have knowledge and qualifications to repair & paint automotive bodies back to pre-damaged condition /manufacturer’s standard, using the appropriate repair techniques and tools (must have basic tools of trade; e.g. paint guns, sanders, etc.)

• Be able to refinish parts by mixing paints, match colors, apply primer & finishing coats; use chassis liner jig safely to perform chassis realignment; • Have knowledge of mechanical accident processes; e.g.: suspension drive shaft, steering & tracking; trim & lock, replacing glass and windscreens • Demonstrate sound knowledge of welding TIG/MIG, gas welding & brazing, and safety procedures during welding process • Present last four (4) years of work experience & two reference letters from past employers

• This Ad is for work permit renewal. However, this position is open to all qualified Turks & Caicos Islanders.

• Remuneration: Basic Wage (Retainer) - $6.25 per hour plus commission.

DROP YOUR RESUME OFF AT MAC MOTORS LTD. 1089 LEEWARD HIGHWAY, PROVIDENCIALES TCI OR CONTACT US ON 649-339-3841 OR EMAIL AT JODELL@CLAYMORE.TC 24750

28 CLASSIFIEDS LOTUS SPA

LUCY MOTT LEE

#39 MANGROVE AVE, LONG BAY Is seeking to employ a

GRACE BAY RETREAT, LOWER BIGHT Is seeking to employ a

THERAPIST

• To work 6 days a week. (days off are flexible) • Must do Thai Massage (with certificate) Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 333-2014

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board.

A work permit holder currently holds this position 24757

ARTIST

• Painting on canvas.

• To work 5 days a week.

Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 431-1079

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24759

April 6-12, 2021

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

MARTIN GRAY #59 BIRD ROCK STREET, LONG BAY, PROVIDENCIALES

3 FARMERS

Experience in organic farming, fertilizing, spraying and harvesting. Salary $300.00 per week THIS POSITION IS FOR FIRST TIME APPLICANTS BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOR DEPARTMENT CONTACT: 232-3037 24752

#1 PALM CIRCLE, LEEWARD PALMS Is seeking to employ a

MECHANIC – $10 HOURLY

Engine tune-ups, oil changes, tire changes, wheel balancing, and replacing filters.

CONTACT: 231-0538

OVANDO CONSTRUCTION LTD.

101 Grace Bay Suites, Grace Bay, Providenciales. Tel: 344-8971

ROOFER

- Construct and install rafters; - installation of metal, glazed ceramic/Spanish tile roof; - meet with architects and engineers to discuss drawing or changes. $8 per hour

TILER

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board.

Work permit holders currently holds this positions

- float floors/walls to prep for installation - install/grout ceramic/porcelain/clay tiles - meet with architects as needed for changes to design concerpt $7 per hour BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOR BOARD OR EMAIL: HELLO@THEKFORCE.COM. THIS A NEW POSITION IS FOR A WORK PERMIT RENEWALS. 24761

SIMON WOOD ASSOCIATES LTD. (DBA SWA ARCHITECTS)

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

Unit 301 Neptune Court, Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands is seeking to employ a

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

QUALIFIED ARCHITECT Applicant must be fully qualified RIBA part 3 or equal with a minimum of 3 years post-qualification experience; with the ability to travel freely throughout the Caribbean and South America

SUNNY FOODS

WHOLESALE CASH N CARRY Is now Interviewing for the following position:

ASSISTANT STORE MANAGER As a Grocery Store Manager you must have the passion to grow sales along with exceptional customer service and communication skills. A hard worker with integrity and great management skills.

• Candidate must have at least 6-8 years experience in the field.

• Delivering exceptional Customer service and passion to Grow Sales and Control Costs • Identifying, hiring and training talent especially Belongers.

MUST HAVE THROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF THE FOLLOWING: • Advanced knowledge and skills in computer systems, most specifically, QuickBooks Pro 2018, Microsoft Excel, and Inventory control management.

• Extensive knowledge of SMS Front & Back Office POS System • Extensive knowledge of NCR 7456 POS • Plans and directs the day-to-day operations of a grocery store.

• Develops strategies to improve customer service, drive store sales, and increase profitability.

• Ensures customer needs are met, complaints are resolved, and service is quick and efficient.

• Forecasts staffing needs and develops a recruiting strategy to provide optimal staffing in all areas • Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures.

Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.

• Must be responsible in identifying and interviewing Belongers for hiring; • Setting up a training program for employees re proper merchandising and customer service skills as well as the workings of running an International Grocery Store.

• Candidate must be multilingual.

• Work schedule will include weekends, holidays, as required to meet the demands of the position.

Salary range commensurate with experience.

• Suitable candidate must be able to work under their own initiative and has the ability to see projects from concept to completion.

• Researches literature and maintain knowledge of current building materials, structural, mechanical and electrical system codes and methods of application.

• Reviews subcontractor’s shop drawings to ensure compliance with specifications and contract agreements by checking them for technical accuracy according to accepted guideline.

• Work with customers and clients to gather facts, define design and space planning problems, conceptualize possible solutions and secure approvals of proposals.

• Review product literature, analyze materials and determine appropriateness for application to projects.

• Provide advice and develop design documents to initiate and modify architectural, interior design and space planning solutions.

• Perform design drafting including preliminary drawings for architectural working drawings and full detail drawings for architectural, structural and mechanical works associated with building construction or improvement projects.

• Have advanced AutoCAD and SketchUp skills and intermediate Revit skills. Also, proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel and Adobe Photoshop.

• Have post graduate Project Management qualification and experience in Contract Administration and Site Inspection procedures.

• Excellent written and spoken English and Spanish languages.

QUALIFIED TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO INFO@SWA.TC; FOR MORE INQUIRES CONTACT 649 946 5911.

SALARIES COMMENSURATE WITH EXPERIENCE

24732

24751

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

CONTACT: 941-8112

This Position is for work permit renewal interested Belongers are encouraged to submit a copy of the resume to the Labour Department.

NINJA CONSTRUCTION

April 6-12, 2021

CLASSIFIEDS 29

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS PHILIP CAPRON

P&D EMPLOYMENT Acting on behalf of

PORSHIA WILLIAMS-VALERIO #6 GEORGE ALLEY, AVIATION DRIVE Is seeking to employ a

#20B Liney Ave, Wheeland Is seeking to employ a

ROBINSON CONSTRUCTION

LABOURER

495 Leeward Highway Tel: 231-0327

NANNY

• Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and door frames.

• To work 5 days a week.

Salary: $6.50 hourly

DOMESTIC WORKER - $6.25 hourly Cleaning worksite.

D&B TILE

Henery Rd, South Dock Tel: 232-3465

TILE LAYER

- $10 hourly Install materials on floors, walls, ceilings, countertops. Level the surface with a layer of mortar or plywood.

Taking care of children, and doing housework. Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 232-1473

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board.

A work permit holder currently holds this position 24780

CONTACT: 241-0968

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD. WORK PERMIT HOLDERS CURRENTLY HOLDS THESE POSITION 24738

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board A work permit holder currently holds this position 24740

SMITH ELECTRICAL & PLUMBING

SMITH ELECTRICAL & PLUMBING

SNAKE HILL, BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ a

SNAKE HILL, BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ a

DRYWALL FINISHER

MAINTENANCE WORKER

ROXY BEAUTY SALON

46A Airport Road, #4 Oswald Simons Building next to Caicos Coin Laundry. Is seeking

4 NAIL TECHNICIANS

-$6.25 hourly Manicures, gel nails, nail fills, nail repair etc.

Fix and maintain mechanical equipment, buildings, and machines.

Tasks include plumbing work, painting, flooring repair and upkeep, electrical repairs, heating, and air conditioning system.

Salary: $8.50 hourly

• Responsible for installing wallboards to ceilings or to interior walls of buildings and applying plaster. Smooths out imperfections with trowels and shackle.

• To work 6 days a week.

Salary: $10 hourly

4 HAIR STYLISTS

- $6.25 hourly Shampooing, cutting, and styling hair, hair treatments, etc.

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 24741

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 24786

EDITH MESA

GREEN DIAMOND SALON & BAR

OCEAN DRIVE, WEST ROAD, GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a

BARMAID

Duties: To take client orders, Mix and Serve drinks. Keep counter areas clean. Must be willing to work Irregular, long and late hours.

Salary: $8.00 per hour

DOMESTIC WORKER

Duties: Regular housekeeping Which includes Cleaning, mopping Dusting, sweeping and Assist with Caring for an elder person any other Chores as needed.

SALARY: $6.50 per hour for each.

CONTACT: 343-0835

CONTACT: 232-1400

CONTACT: 243-7157

Belongers are encouraged to Send a copy of their resume To the Labour Board. This position Is currently held by a work permit holder.

All applicants are asked to submit A copy of their resume to the Labour Dept.

These positions are currently Held by work permit holders.

Belongers are encouraged to Send a copy of their resume To the Labour Board. ThIs is A first time work permit application.

24778

24777

24769

SUNNY FOODS RETAIL & WHOLESALE LTD Is seeking to Employee an:

MERCHANDISER

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Must be trained in merchandising and item categorization and posses certificate • Must be posses a minimum of 6- 8 years of job experience in merchandising and outfitting • Must be willing to work extended hours daily/weekly • Must be proficient in Sams 4s SPT-4740 Reflections • Must be available to work

• •

• •

different shifts day, evening and night Must be available to work variable schedules Must be willing to work in different environments (coolers, freezers, warehouse) Must be proficient in Back Office Implementation Ordering System Must be familiar or possess relationship with local and

SUNSHINE NURSERY

out of country suppliers and ordering systems.

• Must be proficient in: Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Backoffice • Must be willing and able to work in a team setting or as an individual Salary range $ 7.50 – $8.50 per hour , commensurate with experience.

$6:50 HR Maintenance if plants.

Cutting and transplanting of plants. And for

NANNY

QUINCY THOMAS

A STEELMAN

24775

To take care of two children and a baby, and to do light cooking and cleaning of the home at $7.00 per hour for 5 -6 days per week; sometimes Sundays and holidays.

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO ROBERTBEEN6@HOTMAIL.COM OR TANYABEEN@ HOTMAIL.COM, AS WELL AS TO THE LABOUR BOARD. THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER. Please reply to the emails or to 333-7296 on or before April 5, 2021.

24752

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS Sunny Foods Blue Hills

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Phone: 649-946-8384 Is now interviewing for the following position:

PURCHASER JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Must have prior experience purchasing Asian & American Products.

• Must be have prior experience with Quick Books 2020.

• Must be available to work on Holiday, Nights and weekends. Both Saturday and Sunday nights are required with a day off during the middle of the week.

• Must be have good communication skills in able to commutate with overseas vendors and logistics companies .

• Ensures orders are placed in timely manner, customer request are met quick and efficiently.

• Must have extensive knowledge on NCR 7456 or similar POS system.

• Setting up training programs for employees on proper merchandising and customer service skills.

• Most work is required by standing for long periods of time and working in an environment that is not air conditioned such as a dry warehouse.

CONTACT: 941-8112

CONTACT: 941-8112

This Position is for work permit renewal interested Belongers are encouraged to submit a copy of the resume to the Labour Department.

ROBERT & TANYA BEEN

of Turquoise Point, 50 Allegro Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands are seeking to employ a

1 LABOURER

CONTACT: 347-3121

Back Salina, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

DUTIES: As per the position SALRIES: NEGOTIABLE

ROBERTS AGENCY FOR

241-2043 THIS POSITION IS FOR WORK PERMIT RENEWAL BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT

RENALDO SEJOUR

HAIRSTYLIST (1) NAIL TECHNICIAN (1) MAKE-UP ARTIST (1) BARTENDER (1) WAITRESS (1) CASHIER (1)

24745

$6:50 hr Cutting and tying if steel as we bas laying of steel for concrete

Belongers are encouraged to apply at The Labour Board These positions are work permit Renewals 24782

OVER BACK, GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ the following workers:

Projetech Construction Management & Services Ltd would like to advise the general public that we will be relocating our Head Office from Project House, Leeward Highway, to the second level floor of Morgan House, on Sandcastle Road, Grace Bay (formerly known as The Scotia Bank Building) adjacent to “Graceway Gourmet” in Grace Bay .

After 20 years located at Project House, we shall be opening our doors at the new location from 31st March 2021.

We look forward to welcoming all visitors accordingly

2 PEDICURISTS

- $6.25 hourly Perform pedicures and massage client’s feet.

CONTACT: 345-3914

CONTACT: 345-3914

PUBLIC NOTICE

24733

Salary for this position will commensurate with qualification and experience.

This Position is for first time work permit interested Belongers are encouraged to submit a copy of the resume to the Labour Department. 24734

30 CLASSIFIEDS WARD’S CONSULTANCY

ACTING ON BEHALF OF OUR CLIENT A&L TRUCKING

WALKIN EQUIPMENT & CONTRACTING South Dock Road, Providenciales.

Tel (649) 231-0088. Is seeking to Employee

2 OPERATORS

South dock rd.

Tel: 246-5644

DRIVER

- $7.00p/h Load and unload cargo

SWANN CUTS HAIR STUDIO

A102 Graceway Plaza, IGA Leeward Hwy 345-7347

COSMETOLOGIST

-$.25 p/h Cut, trim and shape hair.

Belonger are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the labour board.

These position is currently held by work permit holder

24763

April 6-12, 2021

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Duties: Operate Heavy Duty Equipment Hours 40-44 hrs per week Salary: $16.00 per hour

1 MECHANIC

Duties: Work on Heavy Duty Equipment Hours: 40-44 hrs per week Salary: $15.00 per hour BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD. MUST BE WILLING TO WORK OVERTIME IF REQUIRED. MININUM OF 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

VICIOUS CUTS

SHIVAGO MISSICK Breezy Brae, Grand Turk

LIGHTHOUSE ROAD, GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

BARBER

Duties: Regular housekeeping Which includes Cleaning, mopping Dusting, sweeping and Assist with Caring for an elder person any other Chores as needed.

SALARY: $6.50 per hour for each.

Duties: Welcome clients as they arrive in the shop and engage them in conversation to determine their needs. Cut, Trim hair and beards or Giving shaves. Assume responsibility for The maintenance of Instruments and work Station.

SALARY: $8.00 per hour

CONTACT: 431-5006

CONTACT: 431-7116

Belongers are encouraged to Send a copy of their resume To the Labour Board. This position Is currently held by a work permit holder.

24767

Belongers are encouraged to Send a copy of their resume To the Labour Board. this This position is held by a Work permit holder.

24768

AG CONSTRUCTION

KUBERA LIMITED

#62 MALVIN ROAD, JUBA SOUND Is seeking to employ a

DBA GOLDSMITH

STORE CLERK - $7.00 PER HOUR

MAINTENANCE WORKER

Must be able to provide assistance to customers and handle various duties such as operating the cash register, greeting customers, helping people locate products, doing paper work, stocking shelves, and maintaining the store clean and organized.

Fix and maintain mechanical equipment, buildings, and machines.

Tasks include plumbing work, painting, flooring repair and upkeep, electrical repairs, heating, and air conditioning system. Salary: $7 hourly

Positions are currently held by work permit holders Belongers can drop off resume to the store

JOB VACANCY DIRECTOR, TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS RED CROSS LOCATION: PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS

The Red Cross helps vulnerable people in crisis whoever and wherever they are.

We are looking for a Director to lead the organisation and to provide financial and operational oversight of the organisation’s activities. The Director will also lead the development and implementation of fundraising and income-generation activities, with the aim of achieving sustainable programmes and activities.

The Job Description and Application Form may be collected at the TCI Red Cross office, Downtown, Providenciales, or they may be found online at: https://www.redcross.org.tc/about/news/ You will need proven experience in organisational, programme and financial management. You will have experience managing significant budgets and operating plans and a well-developed understanding of the Government, statutory and voluntary sectors in which the TCI Red Cross works.

PROVIDENCIALES: CENTRAL SQUARE AND THE REGENT VILLAGE GRAND TURK: GOLDSMITH BUILDING FRONT STREET TEL: 649 946 4100. EMAIL: KUBERA@TCIWAY.TC BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOR DEPARTMENT

CONTACT: 244-5638

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 24793

THE LAW FIRM OF STANFIELD GREENE Is seeking one (1) suitably qualified

ATTORNEY The successful candidate will be responsible for the firm’s civil and criminal litigation.

• Applicants should have at least 15+ years of practical experience with emphasis in the field of litigation at both the trial and appellate level; general knowledge of legal principles and precedents of statutory and constitutional law, civic, criminal

administrative, employment, contract and procurement law and should possess good writing skills and have an eye for details.

• An annual salary package of approximately US$80,000.00 (is negotiable and based on experience).

APPLICANTS SHOULD APPLY BY SENDING THEIR RESUME OR CV TO: STANFIELD GREENE PO Box 481, Graceway House, Building A, Suite 201 Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands ATTENTION: Clayton S Greene Tel: (649)-941-3101 Email: csg@stanfieldgreene.com Only those Applicants that will be interviewed will be contacted. The position is currently being held by a Work Permit Holder

24747

Salary is in the range of $36,000 – $45,000 per annum, commensurate with qualifications and experience. We are committed to welcoming people for the widest possible diversity of background, culture and experience.

Kindly note that the Application Form must be submitted. Consideration will not be given to a CV. The completed Application Form and supporting documents may be emailed to: chair@redcross.org.tc Or they may be delivered in a sealed envelope to:

The Chairman Turks and Caicos Islands Red Cross Sam Harvey Building Downtown Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands The closing date for receipt of applications is April 16th, 2021 and interviews are provisionally scheduled for the week commencing April 26th.

PTW HOLDINGS LTD.

Meridian House, Le Vele Plaza, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a

LIASON OFFICER

RESPONSIBILITIES: • Liase with customer and vendors, monitor delivery logistics, assist customer service • Negotiate with vendors regarding price, lead time, ordering quantities, pick packing, and delivery expectations to achieve ongoing cost containment • Coordinate, assign and review the work of pick

packers, dispatching crew; scheduling transportation crews and routes; and related activities • Coordinate activities with supply-chain vendors and clients, resolve supply-chain issues, prepare and submit progress and other reports EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS: • 4+ years of experience in

logistics or supply-chain management • Bachelor’s Degree in related field • Strong technical skills in: SaaS, Microsoft Office Suite, CRM and Social Media • Excellent written communication and technical presentation skills.

Salary: $2500/mo

SEND RESUME TO INFO@ISLEDELIVER.TC AND BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD.

24796

April 6-12, 2021

CLASSIFIEDS 31

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

ACQUA SHORES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COOPER JACK BAY, PROVIDENCIALES Is seeking to employ a

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

ALBERT HIGGS

PELICAN BEACH DRIVE, WHITBY, NORTH CAICOS Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER • Cleaning outside the

Fix and maintain mechanical equipment, buildings, and machines. Tasks include plumbing work, painting, flooring repair and upkeep, electrical repairs, heating, and air conditioning system.

Salary: $8.50 hourly

property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, door frames.

• To work 6 days a week.

Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 649-243-5645

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board

24815

CONTACT: 341-1683

24825

ALDARRO CONSTRUCTION

Breezy Brae, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

CARPENTER

- $9 HOURLY Install structures and fixtures, such as windows and molding.

Measure, cut, or shape wood, plastic, and other materials

HELPER/LABOURER

- $6.50 HOURLY Set up equipment, cleaning work site.

and

CONTACT: 331-1625

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board Work permit holders currently holds these positions 24801

BY ERIC LTD

SERVERS • Must have at least 3-5 years in a 5star establishment • Bilingual in French/English an asset • Experience in Fine Dining setting • Must be willing to work weekends and Holidays • Starting Salary $7 per hour • Experience in French/Italian Food

HOUSEKEEPER

• to work five – six days per week • General house chores such as cleaning and ironing.

Salary $275 weely

CONTACT: 649-232-2196

ERCO LTD.

#18 The Village, KPMG Building, Grace Bay Is seeking to employ a

BUTLER

answer calls greet guests at the door, assist in the planning of events and dinner parties, oversee table settings, and serve drinks and food.

Salary: $6.25 PER HOUR

CONTACT: 242-1063

24799

E&V EQUIPMENT LIMITED

Williams Auditorium, Five Cays Road, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a

SANITARY WORKER

Picking up garbage. Salary: $350 per week CONTACT: 649-941-8494

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labor Department.

Position currently held by work permit holder 24803

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is work permit renewal 24821

DIVE PROVO

DEE’S HAIR SALON

BRANDALEE HANCHELL

NAIL TECHNICIAN

ONE DOMESTIC WORKER

Unit 101 Ports of Call Plaza, Grace Bay

2 PADI AND SSI SCUBA INSTRUCTORS

To teach scuba diving and guide underwater tours.

This is a tourism related position and includes working weekends and public holidays. Salary: $150 per day

CALL TO ARRANGE AN INTERVIEW: 946-5040 EMAIL: DIVEPROVO2020@ GMAIL.COM

Belongers are encouraged to apply 24828

#11 Cox Dr., Kew Town Is seeking to employ a

Basic manicures, artificial nails, gel nails, hand massages, nail fills, nail repair, and nail polishing. Pedicures and the application of acrylic toenails. Salary: $275 weekly

CONTACT: 341-0682

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position

24802

CONTACT: 231-1368 EMAIL: ALLIEDMANAGEMENT@ USA.NET

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24804

sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, restroom cleaning etc.

Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 241-6005

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24818

Leeward Highway, The Bight Is seeking to employ a

MUSICIAN

Perform music in front of crowd.

Salary: $6.25 hourly CONTACT: 241-1377

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position

24827

MECHANIC POSITION AVAILABLE*

GENERAL DUTIES:

To service, repair and maintain in good working condition all mechanical & electrical systems for all company vehicles & other motorized equipment.

REQUIREMENTS: • Valid TCI driver’s license and proof of safe driving record for the last past five years.

Positions open to qualified Belongers. Belongers should send Resumes to Labour Department or Drop Resume at Provence Restaurant – Le Vele Plaza

#8 Chalk Sound, Provo Is looking for a

For one of their properties.

Must speak English JOB INCLUDE: • Cleaning.

• Heavy lifting etc.

• Must be willing to work 6 days per week.

Salary: $7 hourly

CLEANER Stocking, dusting,

COLLEN DELANCY

70 South Dock Road, Providenciales TCI

LINE COOKS, SERVERS, CHEF DE PARTIE

GLENDA LIGHTBOURNE

HOUSEMAN

CECIL INGHAM

Hospital Rd, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

CARGO EXPRESS SERVICES

Le Vele Plaza, Grace Bay, Providenciales Contact 333-1049 /e-mail – eric@provencebyeric.com Looking for a

LINE COOKS – CHEF DE PARTIE • Must have at least 3-5 years in a 5star establishment • Prep ingredients and assemble dishes according to restaurant recipes and specifications • Must be willing to work weekends and Holidays • Starting Salary $8-15 per hour based on qualifications and experience

ALLIED MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD. #18 The Village, KPMG Building, Grace Bay Is seeking a

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position

24806

GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ

Duties: His job is to sweep the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, living room, laundering sheets. Salary: $6.00 per hourly

CONTACT: (649) 244 97 54

Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder.

24807

• Has outstanding knowledge & experience in trouble shooting mechanical & electrical issues to provide on-time solutions.

• Excellent communication skills in English with the ability to write legibly; ability to do simple calculations to re-order & maintain stock levels.

Salary: Starts at $20.00 per hour for a 40hour workweek.

Please contact Cargo Express Services on 649-941-5006 at 70 South Dock Road, Providenciales or email applications to bkerr@tropical.com to arrange an interview.

Application deadline: April 9, 2021 *Position is held by a Work Permit Holder 24800

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS HORIZON CONSTRUCTION LTD.

#7 THE VENETIAN, VENETIAN RD. PROVIDENCIALES. T:431-2971 IS LOOKING FOR A QUALIFIED, EXPERIENCED APPLICANT FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITION All interested applicants, please send resumes to info@ho2group.com. Qualified belongers are encouraged to submit resume to the Labour department, Providenciales. Only those receiving an interview will be contacted.

PROJECT ENGINEER MANAGER Plans and directs all aspects of engineering activities within the organization. Ensures all engineering projects, initiatives, and processes are in conformance with the organization's established policies and objectives. Demonstrates expertise in a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Leads and directs the work of others. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. Reports to top management.

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or higher, fifteen [15] years’ experience in managing projects, Fellow or Chartered Member of an industry related professional body, Competent in the use of Microsoft Project, MS Office; AutoCAD drawings and other technical drawings.

Starting Salary $52,000 per annum This position is being advertised for a work permit renewal 24810

32 CLASSIFIEDS M&S CRAFT

#4 NEW SUBDIVISION, FIVE CAYS

3 ARTIST - $8 HOURLY

Draw and paint artwork

2 METAL ARTIST - $8 HOURLY

Cut and tie metal to create art.

CONTACT: 243-8302

LA FAMILIA RESTAURANT #8 BALL PARK LANE, KEW TOWN Is seeking to employ a

BAKER Measure and mix raw ingredients, bake and decorate items, and ensure that all raw and finished goods adhere to quality and food safety standards. Salary: $300 weekly

CONTACT: 341-1051

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 24794

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board

MAGIC SCISSORS & PRESSING

MARADONA & BEATRICE TELLUS

#3 Bar Joe Plaza, Airport Road, Providenciales Is seeking a

TAILOR

Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations. Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines. Measure sleeves or pant legs, etc.

Salary: $7 hourly

CONTACT: 342-5450

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24819

April 6-12, 2021

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

24813

Granny Hill, Five Cays Is seeking to employ a

MASON

Repairs, maintains and alters buildings, retaining walls and other brick or stone edifices.

Mixes mortar; lays bricks and stones and/or concrete sidewalks; makes and repairs steps and plasters.

Salary: $10 hourly

CONTACT: 442-7192

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 24795

JOSE OVANDO CONSTRUCTION LTD

PORT ATLANTIC CONSTRUCTION

MARY HALL

# 22, Grant Hill, Five Cays. Telephone: 346-6622

Residence yard Five Cays, Providenciales 345-8914

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24811

Painting indoors and outdoors, painting exteriors and interiors of building using spray guns, brushes and rollers, complete indoors and outdoors residential of commercial construction project. Arranged and stored materials, tools and equipments, prepare and clean painting materials after work.

Salary: $ 8.00 per hour

His responsibilities are pick up years waste and collect leaves, clean the yard with sweeper, lift garbage bags and cans into garbage truck, pick up yard waste and tree limbs, repair broken furniture and assist with other work when needed. SALARY: 6.25 per hour

This position is held by a work permit holder.

Renewal, Belonger will be given first preference

RENEWAL, THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER 24830

MARCUS FORBES

OBED CONSTRUCTION

#101 GRACE BAY COURT, GRACE BAY Is seeking a

FINISH CARPENTER

Making furniture and cutting wood. Salary: $380 weekly CONTACT: 331-9854 EMAIL: CARLOS@ HO2GROUP.COM

Paradise Rd, Glass Shack Is seeking to employ a

HOUSEKEEPER

PAINTER

24832

Long Bay, Sisal Rd. #61 Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER

Performing a variety of cleaning activities such as sweeping, mopping, dusting and polishing.

Ensuring all rooms inspected according to standards. Salary: $6.25 hourly

Set up equipment, run lines for power tools, erect scaffolding, lay out tools, mixing concrete, hand tools to workers, and cleaning work site.

Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 232-5538

CONTACT: 649-342-5111

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position

24817

LABOURER

SERGE ALCEMIS

OVANDO CONSTRUCTION

#101 Courd Suites, Grace Bay Is seeking to employ

PAINTER - $7.50 HOURLY

Apply paints, stains, and coatings to interior and exterior walls, new buildings, homes, offices, etc.

Contact: 649-331-5498

MAC 10 CONSTRUCTION South Dock

HELPER - $6.50 HOURLY

Set up equipment, erect scaffolding, mixing concrete, and cleaning work site.

Contact: 343-1215

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 24812

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD A WORK PERMIT HOLDER CURRENTLY HOLDS THIS POSITION

MARIE RAYMOND MISSICK

L.P.S. RETAIL & WHOLESALES

24826

Millennium Hgwy, Blue Hills Is seeking to employ a

MAINTENANCE WORKER

• Fix and maintain mechanical equipment, rental properties, and machines. Tasks include plumbing work, painting, flooring repair and upkeep, electrical repairs, heating, and air conditioning system.

• To work 6 days a week.

Salary: $8 hourly

CONTACT: 341-6627

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 24820

JEAN DELUIS ULYSSE

Granny hill, Five Cays, 346-6622

MILLENNIUM HIGHWAY PROVIDENCIALES 347-3520

To clean all areas within the yard, clean the gutters, trim down the trees in the yard, Sweeping and removing debris from outside, water the plants and assist with other cleaner work around the property. Salary starts at $6.25 per hour.

Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cake, pies, pastries or other baked goods. Check products for quality and identify damaged or expired goods. Pay: 6.25 per hour Renewal. This position is held by a work permit holder,

Smooth out concrete in segments to ensure the concrete poured in level. Arrange the concrete forms. Rub cement in with sponge-rubber float or burlap.

FIRST TIME, BELONGER WILL BE GIVEN FIRST PREFERENCE.

BELONGER WILL BE GIVEN FIRST PREFERENCE 24831

Residence yard, Five Cays Providenciales Telephone: 342-4149

CLEANER

24832

SHAWARNA PATTY SHOP

SHERENE APT. #5, FIVE CAYS RD Is seeking to employ a

BAKER

Measure and mix raw ingredients, bake and decorate items, and ensure that all raw and finished goods adhere to quality and food safety standards.

Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 243-2513

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24814

BAKER

SHINING STAR PREPARATORY SCHOOL #11 Academy way, Down Town

2 TEACHERS

- $2,000 per month Creating lesson plans and teaching those plans to an entire class, track students’ progress and present the information to parents; etc.

2 CAREGIVERS

- $1,400 monthly Watch feed, and bathe children.

CONTACT: 243-1358

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board.

Work permit holders currently hold these positions 24816

MASON

STEELMAN

Build and install iron or steel girders, columns, and other construction materials to form buildings, bridges, and other structures Salary: $8.00 to $9.00 per hour.

RENEWAL BELONGER WILL BE GIVEN FIRST PREFERENCE.

24824

THE TUSCANY RESORT

Grace Bay Beach Road Providenciales Turks & Caicos Island Tel: 941-4667 terria@thetuscanyresort.com is looking for a

HOUSEKEEPER

to work five (5) days a week. Salary $6.25 per hour. First time work permit.

Job Description: Clean & Maintain guest room daily, Dusting and polishing furniture and fixtures Vacuuming and cleaning carpets and rugs.

24798

April 6-12, 2021

CLASSIFIEDS 33

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

GISELLE M. WILLIAMS

BSL CONSTRUCTION

36A New Sub-Division Five Cays,348-4999

# 5 Granny Hills, Five Cays Providenciales. 242-1402

His responsibilities are pick up years waste and collect leaves, clean the yard with sweeper, lift garbage bags and cans into garbage truck, pick up yard waste and tree limbs, repair broken furniture and assist with other work when needed.

Salary starts at $6.25 per hour.

constructing, installing, erecting, and repairing fixtures and structures made from wood and other materials. Salary: $8.00 to $9.00 per hour.

RENEWAL, BELONGER WILL BE GIVEN FIRST PREFERENCE.

RENEWAL BELONGER WILL BE GIVEN FIRST PREFERENCE.

IMPERIAL SECURITY SERVICES Water Loo Road, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER CARPENTER 2 LABOURERS responsible for

24829

24822

- $6.50 HOURLY

Cleaning of property and other related task.

CONTACT: 946-2375

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board

CDC says risk of COVID-19 transmission on surfaces 1 in 10,000 THE risk of getting a COVID-19 infection from contaminated surfaces is extremely low, according to updated guidance published Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“It is possible for people to be infected through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects (fomites), but the risk is generally considered to be

24805

EVERGREEN LANDSCAPING BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ a

LANDSCAPER

IS INTERVIEWING FOR

Mow lawn using a lawnmower or hand. Cut lawn using hand, power or riding mower and trim and edge around walks, flowerbeds, and walls.

Planting flowers, grass, shrubs, and bushes.

Salary: $8 hourly

MAINTENANCE AND HOUSEMEN STAFF

CONTACT: 341-9136

MAINTENANCE STAFF REQUIREMENTS • Able to perform minor electrical, plumbing, drywall and painting work.

• Strong oral and written English skills • Valid drivers license

Drop off resume at hotel or email

24791

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES! The Financial Services Commission (FSC), the regulator of financial services business in the Turks and Caicos Islands, is seeking suitably qualified applicants to fill several vacancies.

GREEN REVOLUTION LTD

RENEWABLE ENERGY INSTALLATION AND DESIGN TECHNICIAN

APPLICATION DEADLINE 6 APRIL 2021

• Suitable Candidate should be a fully qualified time served electrician with a minimum of 10years experience.

• Candidate should hold an Advanced qualification in Renewable Energy systems (USSI PV201 or similar).

• Candidate should have hands-on experience of installing grid tied, grid interactive and off-grid renewable energy systems.

• Candidate should have hands on experience of renewable energy systems design.

• Candidate will be responsible for procurement and logistics of delivery of renewable energy systems.

• Candidate will oversee and maintain renewable energy systems.

• Candidate will Review and research alternative new forms of renewable energy, suitable for this market.

• Suitable candidates will be required to perform a mock-up installation of a renewable energy system.

• Candidate will be responsible for liaising with clients and consultants • Candidate should be computer literate and be able to operate word, excel, outlook and other Microsoft office software suite.

BELONGER CANDIDATES SHOULD DELIVER RESUMES TO #2B COURTYARD PLAZA, LEEWARD HIGHWAY TEL: 649-331-1393. EMAIL: MOREINFO@GREENREVOLUTIONLTD.COM STARTING SALARY $1250/WEEK POSITION IS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER.

support for routine use of disinfectants in community settings, whether indoor or outdoor, to prevent SARSCoV-2 transmission from fomites,” the agency said.

“In public spaces and community settings, available epidemiological data ... indicate that the risk of SARSCoV-2 transmission from fomites is low—compared with risks from direct contact, droplet transmission or airborne transmission.”

Disinfection is recommended in indoor community settings where there has been a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 within the last 24 hours, the CDC said.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told reporters that other strategies being used, like fogging, fumigation and electrostatic spraying, are not recommended at all as primary methods of disinfection because of safety risks.

Surface transmission can be reduced by wearing masks consistently and correctly, as well as proper hand washing, the agency said. (BBC)

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION

HOUSEMEN REQUIREMENTS • Outgoing friendly personality • Hotel housekeeping experience • Strong oral and written English skills

tlewin@portsofcallresort.com

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 24649

low,” the agency said.

The principal mode by which people are infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus is through exposure to respiratory droplets, the CDC said. While not impossible, the agency said the risk of infection through fomites is “generally less than 1 in 10,000.”

The CDC guidance, coming more than a year into the pandemic, is the strongest argument yet against what some critics have dubbed “hygiene theater.”

Despite the fact that scientists at the CDC have been fairly certain since at least last spring that transmission is almost entirely through airborne particles, establishments have continued to insist on strict sanitization protocols, like constantly wiping down shared surfaces with disinfectant, and closing schools and subways for “deep cleaning.”

According to the CDC, cleaning surfaces using soap or detergent, and not disinfecting, is enough to reduce risk in most situations.

“There is little scientific

24776

SYSTEMS ENGINEER Department: Information Technology Location: Grand Turk Annual Salary: $51,604 - $63,007 JOB SUMMARY The holder of this position reports directly to the Director of Information Technology.

The Systems Engineer is responsible for planning and designing Windows based infrastructure, virtualization environments and storage networks across the infrastructure.

This includes recommendation, configuration, installation, support and deployment of all server, storage and backup/archive technology including operating systems and management tools and associated software applications supported by the IT Department.

This position is currently held by work permit holder.

Details on the above vacancies can be found on the Commission’s website at https:// tcifsc.tc/vacancies/ or by contacting the Commission at telephone numbers 649-9462550 ext. 4021 or 4048.

Applications should be emailed to administration@tcifsc.tc no later than 6 April 2021. A copy of the application should be submitted to the Employment Services Department by emailing to CHbacchus@gov.tc and MCadams@gov.tc. Applications received after the application deadline may not be considered in this recruitment phase but may be placed on file for future reference. While we appreciate your response, please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

24766

34

April 6-12, 2021

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Science & Technology

Coronavirus: More work needed to rule out China lab leak theory says WHO THE head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has said further investigation is needed to conclusively rule out that Covid-19 emerged from a laboratory in China.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that although a lab leak was the least likely cause, more research was needed.

The US and other countries have criticised China for failing to provide the WHO with sufficient data.

Beijing has always dismissed the allegations of a virus leak.

A report by WHO and Chinese experts released on Tuesday, said the lab leak explanation was highly unlikely and the virus had probably jumped from bats to humans via another intermediary animal.

China has yet to respond to the WHO’s latest statement.

‘ALL HYPOTHESIS ON THE TABLE’ However the theory that the virus might have come from a leak in a laboratory “requires

further investigation, potential with additional missions involving specialist experts,” Dr Tedros said on Tuesday.

“Let me say clearly that as far as WHO is concerned, all hypothesis remain on the table,” he added.

The virus was first detected in Wuhan, in China’s Hubei province in late 2019. An international team of experts travelled to to the city in January to probe the origins of the virus.

Their research relied on samples and evidence provided by Chinese officials but Dr Tedros said the team had difficulty accessing raw data and called for “more timely and comprehensive data sharing” in the future.

The team investigated all possibilities, including one theory that the virus had originated at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The institute is the world’s leading authority on the collection, storage and study of bat coronaviruses.

China has dismissed claims of a leak from a laboratory in Wuhan.

INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM In response to the WHO report, the US and 13 allies including South Korea, Australia and the UK voiced concern over the findings and urged China to provide “full access” to experts.

The statement said the mission to Wuhan was “significantly delayed and lacked access to complete, original data and samples”.

“Scientific missions like these should be able to do their work under conditions that produce independent and

objective recommendations and findings.”

The group pledged to work together with the WHO. Former US President Donald Trump was among those who supported the theory that the virus might have escaped from a lab.

WHO investigation team leader, Peter Ben Embarek said on Tuesday his team had felt under political pressure, including from outside China but said he was never pressed to remove anything from the team’s final report.

He also confirmed his

team had found no evidence that any laboratories in Wuhan were involved in the outbreak.

Dr Embarak also said that it was “perfectly possible” that cases were circulating in the Wuhan area in October or November 2019. China informed the WHO about cases on 3 January, a month after the first reported infection.

China has always rejected claims the virus originated in a lab and says that although Wuhan is where the first cluster of cases was detected,

it is not necessarily where the virus originated.

State media has claimed that the virus may have arrived in Wuhan on frozen food imports.

The country has largely brought its own outbreak under control through quick mass testing, stringent lockdowns and tight travel restrictions.

Worldwide, more than 127 million people have caught the virus since it was first identified, and more than 2.7 million people are known to have died from it. (BBC)

Covid-19 vaccination: India ramps up vaccines as daily cases hit 100,000 INDIA has stepped up its coronavirus vaccination drive amid a deadly second wave of infections.

The country on Sunday breached the 100,000 daily caseload mark for the first time since the pandemic began.

Everyone above the age of 45 is now eligible for the jab.

Some states are also targeting specific groups like bank workers and lawyers.

Nearly 80 million doses have been given so far, mostly to frontline workers and people above the age of 60.

The northern states of Uttar Pradesh has announced that it will run special vaccination drives for journalists, bank employees and lawyers.

Neighbouring Uttarakhand state is also planning similar

targeted drive.

The world’s biggest inoculation drive aims to cover 250 million people by July, but experts say the pace needs to pick up further to meet the target.

The third phase - which began on 1 April - opened amid a sharp uptick in Covid-19 cases. On Sunday, India became the second country after the US to report 100,000 new cases in a single day.

More than half of those were confirmed in Maharashtra, which has India’s largest city Mumbai as its capital.

India’s caseload had dropped sharply by the time it began vaccinating people early this year. It was adding under 15,000 infections daily.

But cases began to spike again

in March, largely driven by poor test-and-trace and lax safety protocols.

Experts say India’s second wave is being fuelled by people being less cautious and mixed messaging by the government.

Since the pandemic began, India has confirmed more than 12 million cases and over 165,000 deaths. It’s the thirdhighest number of Covid-19 infections in the world after the United States and Brazil.

HOW IS THE ROLLOUT GOING? India launched its vaccination drive on 16 January, but it was limited to healthcare workers and frontline staff - a sanitation worker became the first Indian to receive the vaccine.

Everyone above the age of 45 is now eligible for the jab in India.

From 1 March, the eligibility criteria was expanded to include people over 60 and those who are between 45 and 59 but have other illnesses.

The third phase of its vaccination drive with everyone above the age of 45 eligible for the jab was launched on 1 April.

The country’s drugs

regulator has given the green light to two vaccines - one developed by AstraZeneca with Oxford University (Covishield) and one by Indian firm Bharat Biotech (Covaxin). Several others candidates are at different stages of trials.

India also wants to scale up the drive quickly to stem

the recent spike in cases.

So it recently placed a temporary hold on all exports of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, ch is being made by India’s largest vaccine manufacturer, the Serum Institute of India (SII).

Experts believe India CONTINUED 

April 6-12, 2021

35

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Science & Technology

Humans were apex predators for two million years RESEARCHERS at Tel Aviv University were able to reconstruct the nutrition of stone age humans. In a paper published in the Yearbook of the American Physical Anthropology Association, Dr. Miki Ben-Dor and Prof.

Ran Barkai of the Jacob M. Alkov Department of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University, together with Raphael Sirtoli of Portugal, show that humans were an apex predator for about two million years. Only the extinction of larger animals (megafauna) in various parts of the world, and the decline of animal food sources toward the end of the stone age, led humans to gradually increase the vegetable element in their nutrition, until finally they had no choice but to domesticate both plants and animals— and became farmers.

“So far, attempts to reconstruct the diet of stoneage humans were mostly based on comparisons to 20th century hunter-gatherer societies,” explains Dr. BenDor. “This comparison is futile, however, because two million years ago huntergatherer societies could hunt and consume elephants and other large animals—while today’s hunter gatherers do not have access to such bounty. The entire ecosystem has changed, and conditions cannot be compared.

Humans were apex predators for much longer than previously believed.

We decided to use other methods to reconstruct the diet of stone-age humans: to examine the memory preserved in our own bodies, our metabolism, genetics and physical build. Human behavior changes rapidly, but evolution is slow. The body remembers.”

In a process unprecedented in its extent, Dr. Ben-Dor and his colleagues collected about 25 lines of evidence from about 400 scientific papers from different scientific disciplines, dealing with the focal question: Were stone-age humans specialized carnivores or were they generalist

omnivores? Most evidence was found in research on current biology, namely genetics, metabolism, physiology and morphology.

“One prominent example is the acidity of the human stomach,” says Dr. Ben-Dor. “The acidity in our stomach is high when compared to omnivores and even to other predators. Producing and maintaining strong acidity require large amounts of energy, and its existence is evidence for consuming animal products. Strong acidity provides protection from harmful bacteria found in meat, and prehistoric humans, hunting large

Covid-19 vaccination: India ramps ...

CONTINUED 

should ramp up vaccination in areas of high transmission and in states where elections are being held to prevent the virus from spreading.

Bhramar Mukherjee, a professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at the University of Michigan, told the BBC that India needed to administered 10 million shots daily “instead of being complacent with 3 million” doses a day.

“I do feel frustrated that India did not roll out the vaccination drive more aggressively while the curve was in its valley,” Dr Mukherjee said.

“It is much easier to roll out vaccination when the

infection is not so high.

Now the healthcare capacity is stretched between vaccination and Covid care.”

HOW MANY HAVE BEEN VACCINATED SO FAR? Nearly 80 million doses of coronavirus vaccines have been administered so far.

More than 60 million people have received one dose, and over 10 million people have been fully vaccinated after receiving two doses.

For decades now, India has been running one of the world’s largest immunisation programmes that vaccinates tens of millions, including newborns and pregnant women, against various

diseases.

So experts believed India was well-prepared for the challenge. But the uptake has been slow because of vaccine scepticism as well as a lack of awareness among the poor or in rural areas.

Many of the poor have little information on how to register themselves and access the vaccine free of cost. Online registration could be an impediment for those who don’t own phones or use the internet.

“There’s very little public health communication for the poor and the working class regarding the vaccines,” says Radha Khan, an independent consultant working in the field of gender, governance and social inclusion. (BBC)

animals whose meat sufficed for days or even weeks, often consumed old meat containing large quantities of bacteria, and thus needed to maintain a high level of acidity. Another indication of being predators is the structure of the fat cells in our bodies. In the bodies of omnivores, fat is stored in a relatively small number of large fat cells, while in predators, including humans, it’s the other way around: we have a much larger number of smaller fat cells. Significant evidence for the evolution of humans as predators has also been found in our genome.

For example, geneticists have concluded that “areas of the human genome were closed off to enable a fat-rich diet, while in chimpanzees, areas of the genome were opened to enable a sugar-rich diet.”

Evidence from human biology was supplemented by archaeological evidence.

For instance, research on stable isotopes in the bones of prehistoric humans, as well as hunting practices unique to humans, show that humans specialized in hunting large and mediumsized animals with high fat content. Comparing humans to large social predators of today, all of whom hunt large animals and obtain more than 70% of their energy from animal sources, reinforced the conclusion that humans specialized in hunting large animals and were in fact hypercarnivores.

“Hunting large animals is not an afternoon hobby,” says

Dr. Ben-Dor. “It requires a great deal of knowledge, and lions and hyenas attain these abilities after long years of learning. Clearly, the remains of large animals found in countless archaeological sites are the result of humans’ high expertise as hunters of large animals.

Many researchers who study the extinction of the large animals agree that hunting by humans played a major role in this extinction—and there is no better proof of humans’ specialization in hunting large animals. Most probably, like in currentday predators, hunting itself was a focal human activity throughout most of human evolution. Other archaeological evidence— like the fact that specialized tools for obtaining and processing vegetable foods only appeared in the later stages of human evolution— also supports the centrality of large animals in the human diet, throughout most of human history.”

The multidisciplinary reconstruction conducted by TAU researchers for almost a decade proposes a complete change of paradigm in the understanding of human evolution. Contrary to the widespread hypothesis that humans owe their evolution and survival to their dietary flexibility, which allowed them to combine the hunting of animals with vegetable foods, the picture emerging here is of humans evolving mostly as predators of large animals.

“Archaeological evidence

does not overlook the fact that stone-age humans also consumed plants,” adds Dr. Ben-Dor. “But according to the findings of this study plants only became a major component of the human diet toward the end of the era.”

Evidence of genetic changes and the appearance of unique stone tools for processing plants led the researchers to conclude that, starting about 85,000 years ago in Africa, and about 40,000 years ago in Europe and Asia, a gradual rise occurred in the consumption of plant foods as well as dietary diversity—in accordance with varying ecological conditions. This rise was accompanied by an increase in the local uniqueness of the stone tool culture, which is similar to the diversity of material cultures in 20thcentury hunter-gatherer societies. In contrast, during the two million years when, according to the researchers, humans were apex predators, long periods of similarity and continuity were observed in stone tools, regardless of local ecological conditions.

“Our study addresses a very great current controversy—both scientific and non-scientific,” says Prof. Barkai. “For many people today, the Paleolithic diet is a critical issue, not only with regard to the past, but also concerning the present and future. It is hard to convince a devout vegetarian that his/her ancestors were not vegetarians, and people tend to confuse personal beliefs with scientific reality. Our study is both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary. We propose a picture that is unprecedented in its inclusiveness and breadth, which clearly shows that humans were initially apex predators, who specialized in hunting large animals.

As Darwin discovered, the adaptation of species to obtaining and digesting their food is the main source of evolutionary changes, and thus the claim that humans were apex predators throughout most of their development may provide a broad basis for fundamental insights on the biological and cultural evolution of humans.” (Phys.org

36

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Science & Technology

April 6-12, 2021

Dinosaur-killing asteroid strike gave rise to Amazon rainforest THE asteroid impact that killed off the dinosaurs gave birth to our planet’s tropical rainforests, a study suggests.

Researchers used fossil pollen and leaves from Colombia to investigate how the impact changed South American tropical forests.

After the 12km-wide space rock struck Earth 66 million years ago, the type of vegetation that made up these forests changed drastically.

The team has outlined its findings in the prestigious journal Science.

Co-author Dr Mónica Carvalho, from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institution in Panama, said: “Our team examined over 50,000 fossil pollen records and more than 6,000 leaf fossils from before and after the impact.”

They found that cone-bearing plants called conifers and ferns were common before the huge asteroid struck what is now the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.

But after the devastating impact, plant diversity declined by roughly 45% and extinctions were

widespread, particularly among seed-bearing plants.

While the forests recovered over the next six million years, angiosperms, or flowering plants, came to dominate them.

The structure of tropical forests also changed as a result of this transition. During the late Cretaceous Period, when the dinosaurs were still alive, the trees that made up the forests were widely-spaced. The top parts did not overlap, leaving open sunlit areas on the forest floor.

But post-impact, forests developed a thick canopy that allowed much less light to reach the ground.

So how did the impact transform the sparse, conifer-rich tropical forests of the dinosaur age into the rainforests of today, with their towering trees dotted with multicoloured blossoms and orchids?

Based on their analysis of the pollen and leaves, the researchers propose three different explanations.

Firstly, dinosaurs could have kept the forest from growing too dense by feeding on and trampling plants

Modern tropical rainforests are dense, with thick canopies - unlike those of the late Cretaceous Period.

growing in the lower levels of the forest.

A second explanation is that falling ash from the impact enriched soils throughout the tropics, giving an advantage to faster-growing flowering plants.

The third explanation is that the preferential extinction of conifer species created an opportunity for flowering plants to take over.

These ideas, say the team, aren’t mutually exclusive, and could all have contributed to the outcome we

see today.

“The lesson learned here is that under rapid disturbances... tropical ecosystems do not just bounce back; they are replaced, and the process takes a really long time,” said Dr Carvalho. (BBC)

Covid: Children ‘well protected by Pfizer vaccine’ PFIZER says trials of its Covid vaccine in children aged 12 to 15 show 100% efficacy and a strong immune response.

Initial results from trials in 2,260 adolescents in the US also suggest the vaccine is safe with no unusual side effects.

The drug company says it will submit its data to the US and European authorities for emergency use in 12- to 15-year-olds.

There are currently no plans for children to be vaccinated in the UK. Children’s risk of becoming very ill or even dying with Covid-19 is tiny, and throughout the pandemic they have very rarely needed hospital treatment.

Adults - particularly those over 50 and people with serious underlying health conditions - have a much higher risk, which is why they have been vaccinated as a priority in the UK. Pfizer is one of a number of drug companies testing their Covid vaccines on children. The aim of vaccinating them - particularly older children - would be to keep schools open, reduce the spread of coronavirus in the community and protect vulnerable children with conditions which put them at increased risk.

AstraZeneca announced trials of

Initial results from trials in 2,260 adolescents in the US also suggest the vaccine is safe with no unusual side effects.

its vaccine in UK children aged six to 17 some time ago, and the first of 300 volunteers were due to be jabbed last month. The vaccine is currently only authorised for people aged 18 and over in the UK. Alongside trials in teenagers, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is authorised for use in those aged over

16, is also being tested in children under 12, with the aim of involving babies from just six months old.

The company started dosing the first healthy, young children in this trial last week.

In the Pfizer trial in 12- to 15-yearolds, 18 cases of Covid-19 were seen in the group given a dummy vaccine

and none in group given the Covid vaccine which protects against it.

All participants received two doses 21 days apart, and the 18 cases were all children with symptoms.

There were no tests for asymptomatic infection - children displaying no symptoms.

The figures are preliminary and

full data has not been released, peerreviewed or published in a journal.

Dr Peter English, former consultant in communicable disease control and past chair of the BMA public health medicine committee, said more detail was needed to properly evaluate the company’s claims.

“It would be useful to know how effective the vaccine is at preventing asymptomatic infection.

Young people are less likely to have severe disease; and when they are infected, they are more likely to have asymptomatic infection, allowing them to transmit the disease to others,” he said.

The company’s press release also doesn’t mention the impact of variants on the trials, how cases were identified in children and whether a longer gap between doses was tested.

Albert Bourla, chairman and chief executive officer of Pfizer, said the company was “encouraged” by the clinical trial data.

“We plan to submit these data to FDA [US Federal Drugs Administration] as a proposed amendment to our Emergency Use Authorization in the coming weeks, and to other regulators around the world, with the hope of starting to vaccinate this age group before the start of the next school year.”

April 6-12, 2021

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Science & Technology

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Active lifestyle decreases risk of dementia, study finds A NEW study has found that having an active lifestyle can keep your brain healthy, slowing the progression of Parkinson’s disease and genetically influenced dementia. In research just published in the journal Neurology, South Korean scientists tracked 173 older adults who had early signs of those disorders; 27% of them had a genetic variant that predisposes people to Alzheimer’s disease.

Using cognitive tests given at the beginning of the study, then one and two years later, researchers found that people who were more physically active experienced less gene-related cognitive decline. “Problems with thinking skills and memory can have a negative impact on people’s quality of life and ability to function, so it’s exciting that increasing physical activity could have the potential to delay or prevent cognitive decline,” said study author Jin-Sun Jun, MD, of Hallym University in Seoul, South Korea.

WHAT ARE PARKINSON’S AND DEMENTIA? Parkinson’s disease is a disorder caused by the death of dopamineproducing cells in the brain.

The reason those cells die is not fully understood; scientists think a combination of genetic and environmental factors are

responsible. Symptoms include tremor, impaired balance and coordination, limb stiffness, and slowness of movement.

The genesis of dementia—an umbrella term for a decline in memory, judgment and the ability to communicate—is also unclear overall. This study involved people with a variant in the APOE e4 gene, a predisposition for developing dementia.

Previous studies have found that staying active may delay dementia.

In 2012, research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that in older adults, an active lifestyle—defined as participation in mental, physical, or social activity— delayed dementia onset by an average of 17 months. The researchers found that people who undertook more of the three types of activity experienced a greater delay in dementia onset than those who participated in less.

HOW TO STAY ACTIVE Although experts aren’t sure why activity keeps your brain healthy, their message is clear: Use your cognition or lose it. “Formal education in any stage of life will help reduce your risk of cognitive decline and dementia,” the Alzheimer’s Association advises.

“For example, take a class at a local college, community center or

Researchers found that people who were more physically active experienced less gene-related cognitive decline.

online.” Even less formal ways of challenging your mind—such as doing puzzles or playing games—are brain-protective.

Additionally, “Staying socially engaged may support brain health,” the Alzheimer’s Association says.

“Pursue social activities that are meaningful to you. Find ways to be part of your local community — if you love animals, consider volunteering at a local shelter. If you enjoy singing, join a local choir or help at an after-school program. Or,

just share activities with friends and family.”

Also helpful: Maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure, getting enough quality sleep, and engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise. (Eatthis.com)

Blood type does not affect a person’s risk of getting severe Covid A PERSON’S blood group does not affect their risk of developing severe Covid-19 or being hospitalised by the infection, a study has found.

Previous studies have indicated that people with type A blood are more at risk of catching the coronavirus.

To determine if this was true, US doctors analysed health records of more than 100,000 people who had a Covid-19 test across Utah, Idaho, and Nevada between March and November 2020.

Cross-referencing their Covid status with blood group revealed there to be no association between the two, debunking the previous findings.

Blood group is a trait which is determined by a person’s DNA and depends on the versions of genes inherited from a person’s parents.

These genes dictate the presence of antigens on the surface of red blood cells, the donut-shaped vessels which carry oxygen around the body in arteries and veins.

Antigens are protruding proteins and there are two versions, A and B, which are found on the surface of red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes.

Every person has either A, B, A and B, or none. These people will therefore have blood type A, B, AB and O, respectively, and this

Blood groups vary in their commonality depending on geography and ethnicity.

is known as the ABO blood group system.

Another antigen on the cells, called Rhesus, is either positive or negative and this determines if a

person is, for example, A positive or A negative.

Blood groups vary in their commonality depending on geography and ethnicity but in the

UK, the most common group is O positive, followed by A positive.

Previous studies had found that people with type A blood are at greater risk of catching the virus.

One study hinted that type A people have more receptors which the virus can bind to, making them more susceptible.

But Dr Jeffrey Anderson, of the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Salt Lake City, performed the most comprehensive and controlled analysis yet.

‘With contrasting reports from China, Europe, Boston, New York, and elsewhere, we embarked on a large, prospective case-control study that included more than 11,000 individuals who were newly infected with SARS-CoV-2, and we found no ABO associations with either disease susceptibility or severity,’ the authors of the study write in their paper, published today in JAMA Network Open.

‘Given the large and prospective nature of our study and its strongly null results, we believe that important associations of SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 with ABO groups are unlikely,’ they add.

The researchers can not explain why the previous studies came to different conclusions, but cite various factors which may have led to the previous results.

They say pure chance, publication bias, genetic differences, geography and variants may have led to skewed data indicating that some blood groups are more at-risk.

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April 6-12, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: North Korea to skip Games over Covid-19 fears NORTH Korea has announced it will not take part in the Tokyo Olympics this year, saying the decision is to protect its athletes from Covid-19.

The decision puts an end to South Korea’s hopes of using the Games to engage with the North amid stalled cross-border talks.

In 2018, both sides entered a joint team at the Winter Olympics which led to a series of historic summits.

Pyongyang says it has no cases of the virus but experts say this is unlikely.

The country’s health system is thought to be completely inadequate for dealing with the Covid pandemic, the BBC’s Tokyo Correspondent Rupert WingfieldHayes reports.

The announcement makes North Korea the first major country to skip the delayed 2020 Games because of the pandemic. The event is due to begin on 23 July.

This will be the first time North Korea has missed a Summer Olympics since 1988, when it boycotted the Seoul Games during the Cold War. HOPES DASHED Pyongyang’s decision was made at an Olympic committee meeting on 25 March, according to a report by the state-run site Sports in the DPRK.

However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it had not “received an official application” from North Korea to step back from the Games.

It added that despite repeated requests, the country’s National Olympic Committee had failed to “hold a telephone conference during which the Covid-19 situation in North Korea should also have been discussed”.

North Korea has taken stringent measures against the virus since it broke out last year.

It shut its borders in late January and later quarantined hundreds of foreigners in its capital.

Since early last year, trains and wagons have been forbidden to enter or leave North Korea, with most international passenger flights stopped as well.

There were hopes from South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in that the Games could be a catalyst for progress between both Koreas.

That had been the case in 2018, when North Korea sent 22 athletes to the Winter Olympics in South Korea, along with government officials, journalists and a 230-member cheering group.

Among the contingent was North Korean leader Kim Jongun’s sister, Kim Yo-jong - a move which helped it initiate diplomacy with South Korea and the US. The talks that followed led to

The Tokyo Olympics will not see North Korea participating.

a series of historic, high-profile meetings between the North Korean leader and former US President Donald Trump.

There were hopes for improved relations after the meetings, but nothing materialised and the atmosphere has since deteriorated.

North and South Korea are technically still at war because no peace treaty was signed when the Korean War ended in 1953.

Japan and North Korea also have

their own enduring tensions, rooted in Japan’s 35-year colonisation of Korea, Pyongyang’s pursuit of nuclear and missile programmes, and the North’s past abduction of Japanese citizens.

JAPAN’S COVID CONCERNS Meanwhile, in Japan, an Olympic preparatory event was cancelled after Covid infections broke out at a training camp for the Japanese

water polo team - with seven people testing positive for the virus.

It follows the announcement that the Osaka leg of the Olympic torch relay will be cancelled after infections in the city hit record highs.

There have been growing concerns in Japan that more infectious strains of the virus could be driving a potential fourth Covid wave in the country. (BBC)

Referee Rebecca Welch makes history in English Football League debut REBECCA Welch made history on Monday as she became the first appointed female referee to take charge of an English Football League (EFL) game.

The 37-year-old, who has previously refereed high-profile women’s matches, oversaw Port Vale’s 2-0 win against Harrogate Town in the third tier of men’s English football.

Back in 2010, Amy Fearn became the first woman to referee an EFL game after replacing the injured referee in the closing stages of a match, but Welch is the first to be officially appointed to a match “Initially I wasn’t really aware of being appointed as the first female referee,” Welch said before taking charge of the match.

“I was just given the appointment and I was over the moon but when you kind of reflect on it you think you’re the first woman ever to do this, so I’m extremely proud and my family’s extremely proud as well.”

Welch is an elite referee who has

Rebecca Welch oversaw Port Vale’s 2-0 win against Harrogate Town in the third tier of men’s English football.

frequently officiated lower league men’s matches in the past. She also refereed the women’s FA Cup final at Wembley in 2017.

She now hopes her story will serve as inspiration and motivation for other female officials coming through the ranks.

“I do think it’s important to show that women who are in the top 1% of their category can proceed to the next level so it definitely makes

others down the period look up and know that they can achieve the same,” she added, citing Sian Massey-Ellis who is currently the only female official operating in the Premier League.

Although Monday was considered a first step in breaking down barriers in English football, some reactions on social media show there is still a long way to go.

Whilst managers of both teams credited Welch for her performance, users on Twitter saw it as an opportunity to post sexist messages.

“We couldn’t let this opportunity pass without showing you how triggered it’s got some blokes,” tweeted women’s football podcast Two Girls Talk Balls in reaction to the messages. “Good to see the immense power of having a vagina lives on!”

In December last year, French referee Stephanie Frappart made history when she became the first female to referee a men’s UEFA Champions League match.

April 6-12, 2021

Sports Interational

Baylor rout Gonzaga to win their first NCAA men’s basketball title THE Baylor Bears won their first men’s NCAA basketball title with a 86-70 win over the previously undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game Monday night in Indianapolis.

Baylor’s win snaps Gonzaga’s 35-game win streak, which was the longest active streak in the nation and dated back to last season.

“We’re really good defensively.

I thought we made things tough tonight,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “Gonzaga missed some shots that they probably normally make.

But credit our guys for making everything difficult.”

Baylor (28-2) never trailed in this game -- and this was a rout early.

“They were just so much more aggressive than us,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “They just literally busted us out of anything we could possible do on offense.”

Gonzaga (31-1) trailed by as many as 19 in the first half and the Bears led by 10 at the half.

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The Bulldogs briefly got within single digits in the second half, but Baylor pulled away, extending the lead at one point up to 20.

Jared Butler led the Bears with 22 points and seven assists while MaCio Teague added 19 points.

“I was struggling the whole tournament probably until the Final Four,” Butler said. “And as a shooter, it’s hard. Like, it just makes the days longer and you think about it all day long. But I knew ... I couldn’t go the whole tournament and not shoot well.”

Jalen Suggs topped the scoring for the Bulldogs with 22 points.

Drew Timme and Corey Kispert each had 12 points.

“They punched us in the mouth right at the get-go,” Kispert said.

“And it took a long, long time for us to recover and start playing them even again. But then it was too late.”

Gonzaga was coming off a stunning last-second overtime win over UCLA. With a win over

Baylor’s win snaps Gonzaga’s 35-game win streak, which was the longest active streak in the nation and dated back to last season.

Baylor, they would have become the first team to finish a season undefeated since Indiana went 32-0 during the 1975-76 season.

Few said he never saw his team play as if they were weighted down by the pressure to go undefeated.

Baylor made it hard for his team to generate any rhythm, he added.

“It’s been a fantastic season.

These guys have just a great enthusiasm about them. Just such a positive spirit but yet such a competitive spirit. They’re such all great competitors,” Few said of his team.

Baylor was fresh off a dominating win over Houston in the Final Four. The Bears cruised through its tournament opponents, beating every team by at least nine points.

“Those guys didn’t want to lose for each other,” Drew said. “They wanted to play for each other.

And they’re winners. They’re

experienced. They’re tough. They love one another.”

This matchup had been two years in the making, at least.

Gonzaga and Baylor were among the favorites to win last year’s tournament, which was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Baylor was playing in the title game for the first time since 1948.

Only two men’s basketball teams from Texas have won a national championship. Texas Western’s famed team won the 1966 national title and was depicted in the 2006 film “Glory Road.”

“Look at how much great basketball we have (in Texas) from high school, AAU, junior college, college,” Drew said.

“And we haven’t won a national championship since ‘66. It’s long overdue for the state and so pleased for all of them.”

Gonzaga appeared in the championship game for the

second time in program history, having lost to the University of North Carolina in the title contest in 2017.

The title game was played in Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium before a limited crowd as the NCAA finished its men’s tournament played entirely in the state of Indiana.

“I think it’s harder to win it this year than ever before with the stoppages (because of Covid-19) and testing and the sacrificing your social life just so you can play basketball games; having no fans sometimes,” Butler said. “It’s just hard to get up sometimes for these games. And I’m just so thankful that we were able to play and the tournament still goes on.”

The championship was the fourth basketball title for Baylor University. The women’s team has won three championships, including one in 2019. (CNN)

NBA: Kyrie Irving scores 40 points as Brooklyn Nets beat New York Knicks KYRIE Irving scored 40 points including a final-minute threepointer to help the Brooklyn Nets fight back to beat the New York Knicks 114-112.

Brooklyn lost key player James Harden after only four minutes with a hamstring problem and trailed by 10 points at half-time.

However, Irving’s late threepointer secured victory for the Nets.

“A lot of guys stepped up, especially our bench. They came in and made a difference,” Irving said.

Harden was making his return on Monday after missing two games

with tightness in his right hamstring and appeared to suffer the same problem against the Knicks.

The Nets are top of the Eastern Conference with 35 wins and 16 defeats.

Elsewhere, the Dallas Mavericks extended their winning streak to five matches with a 111-103 victory over the Utah Jazz.

Devin Booker scored a gamehigh 36 points to help the Phoenix Suns beat the Houston Rockets 133-130, while the Toronto Raptors claimed a 103-101 win over the Washington Wizards. (BBC)

Kyrie Irving’s three-pointer in the final minute secured victory for the Brooklyn Nets.

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April 6-12, 2021

Sunny and Bhupinder Gill are first Asian brothers appointed for same EFL game SUNNY and Bhupinder Gill have become the first South Asian brothers to be appointed on the same officiating team for an English Football League game.

Bhupinder will be the assistant and Sunny the fourth official for the Championship match between Bristol City and Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

The pair, who are Sikh, are the sons of former EFL referee Jarnail Singh, who retired in 2010.

“It’s a proud moment for the family,” Bhupinder told BBC Sport.

Andy and Bobby Madley are the most recent example of brothers officiating at the same EFL match when they were the fourth official and referee respectively at Rochdale against Fleetwood Town in 2014.

Bhupinder is an assistant in the Championship and Sunny is a referee at National League level,

with both combining their roles with full-time jobs as a PE teacher and prison officer respectively.

“On a personal note, the game on Saturday is one of the biggest things that we’re going to be involved in,” said Sunny.

“As a refereeing family that have come through the system and followed in my Dad’s footsteps, I never thought we would be on the same Championship game.

“It’s a massive dream but, at the end of the day, I don’t want people to think we’ve made it. This is just a small step we’ve achieved but our goal is to become full-time match officials.

“If we can be on the same Premier League game or become full time, that is the end goal.”

Bhupinder added: “I think we’ve only done two or three games together but this is massive as it’s in the Championship.

“It’s the highest stage that we’ve

Bhupinder (left) and Sunny followed in their father’s footsteps by becoming match officials.

been at together. My dream is to get to that next step which is the Premier League and be a full-time assistant referee.”

Jarnail, who is a referee assessor, will miss the game because of coronavirus restrictions but hopes “in the future there will be an occasion where I can watch them both walk out on the same pitch”.

The Gill’s news comes a week after Rebecca Welch became the first female referee to be appointed to an EFL game.

She took charge of the League Two match between Harrogate and Port Vale on Monday.

Former Premier League referee

Howard Webb, who was in charge of the 2010 World Cup final, worked with “top guy” Jarnail during their time with the EFL. He has kept an eye on the development of the two brothers and “has quite a bit of contact” with Sunny as he has progressed through the refereeing ranks.

“It’s really important we have strong role models at the top of the professional game that show to other people who are thinking that refereeing might not be for them because there’s no-one that looks like them, that actually it can be for them,” Webb told BBC Sport.

“The more we can be truly

representative, the less this will be a conversation in the future. It will come down to the good old fashioned ‘are you a good referee on the day or in general’.”

Webb is the general manager of the Professional Referee Organisation in the United States and oversees match officials in leagues including the MLS. He added: “To work with your sibling on a game is pretty special. But, make no mistake, if they weren’t good enough they wouldn’t be on the game.

“As someone who assigns officials in the professional game, quality is the first thing you look for.” (BBC)

Women’s Six Nations: England’s Emily Scarratt finds positives in new Women’s Six Nations format ENGLAND centre Emily Scarratt says having a final in this year’s reformatted Women’s Six Nations could help the side’s World Cup preparations.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, teams will have two pool games and a final rather than playing all of the other five teams.

Covid-19 also forced the postponement of the World Cup until 2022.

“You do not get a final very often in our calendar,” Scarratt told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Rugby Union Weekly.

The 31-year-old - who captained England to a 52-10 win against Scotland on Saturday in the absence of Sarah Hunter - added that she “was not sure” about the new format initially.

“I am a traditionalist. I like the format of playing five games,” she continued.

“But we now get the opportunity to play a final. Sometimes when you get to that moment it is a World Cup and all of a sudden a big deal.”

[women’s] game at the Stoop,” she explained.

“That is the exciting bit for me.

It would be great to have crowds to quantify what that would look like but at the same time it is really important for us to stand on our own two feet this time around.”

Emily Scarratt captained England to a 52-10 win against Scotland on Saturday.

England’s opening victory puts them top of Pool A with a game in Italy to come on Saturday.

After France’s dominant 53-0 defeat of Wales in Pool B, all signs currently point to a final between

England and Les Bleues, to be shown live on BBC Two on 24 April.

Aside from the benefits of a final, Scarratt is glad that the Women’s Six Nations is taking place in a different window to the

men’s tournament.

“We’re not having to compete with men’s kick-off times or a load of people watching the [men’s] game at Twickenham and a much lower percentage watching the

‘I FORGOT TO TELL MY PARENTS I WAS ENGLAND CAPTAIN’ With regular skipper Hunter continuing her return from a hamstring strain, Scarratt took on the captaincy against Scotland.

It is a role she has stepped into several times before and the Loughborough centre said the experience was “different” without crowds.

Scarratt added that it was a “massive honour”, before admitting she had forgotten to warn her family it was coming.

She said: “I forgot to tell my parents I was captain this weekend and they messaged with a rolly-eye emoji like, ‘congrats’.” (BBC)

April 6-12, 2021

Sports Interational

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Birmingham City manager Carla Ward acting as intermediary following complaints by women’s team BIRMINGHAM City manager Carla Ward is acting as conduit between club and players after the squad sent a letter complaining about conditions.

The letter to the club’s board, which has been seen by the BBC, addresses the differences of provision for the women’s team and the men’s.

These include access to the training-ground gym, changing rooms and travel to away fixtures.

The BBC understands the Football Association plans to investigate.

The FA is also working with the women’s club and supporting them to ensure they are able to complete their remaining fixtures this season.

Other issues which the team have raised include lack of payments for non-contract players and others earning “less than the minimum wage”, delays over treatment for injured players and claims of an inadequate squad size. The letter says players had been compelled to play when not fully fit.

The BBC contacted Birmingham City, who declined to comment.

However, in a statement given to the Telegraph, the club said:

“It’s no secret we have one of the lowest budgets in the league.

Covid has only compounded this.

This certainly makes it difficult to compete, but we’re doing our best on and off the pitch in what is a very difficult time for professional football.”

On travel arrangements, Birmingham said: “We are lucky to be based in the middle of the country where we can easily make journeys to our games without the need to stay overnight, whilst still being able to prepare our team in the best way possible to compete.”

In the letter, the players add: “The grievances laid out thus far have created a significantly unfavourable work environment.

This prevents us from performing our jobs to the best of our ability.

“It has been significantly detrimental to the mental health of members of the women’s team.”

Birmingham have endured several setbacks this season.

In January, they pulled out of a WSL fixture at Tottenham because of a shortage of available players due to injury.

The team also had some fixtures at their Damson Park home

Birmingham are only three points above the relegation zone.

postponed this season because of the poor condition of the surface.

The letter claims the team do not have regular access to “suitable pitches”.

Birmingham are ninth in the Women’s Super League, three points above the relegation zone with four games remaining.

Several footballers sent

messages of support to Birmingham’s players.

Fran Kirby, the Chelsea and England forward, tweeted: “It’s a shame in 2021 we still have women’s teams competing in the top league in England having to ask for help like this. We should all be given the chance to perform at the highest level we can, Birmingham

Women we all stand with you.”

Meanwhile, Kirby’s international team-mate Leah Williamson called it “another example of the imbalance between expectations of women’s athletes and the support provided to them”.

The Arsenal defender added: “Things have to change to help, not hinder them.” (BBC)

Ousmane Dembele scored the late winner.

Dembele late goal propels Barcelona to victory OUSMANE Dembele scored a dramatic late winner to give Barcelona victory over Real Valladolid and a huge boost in their La Liga title challenge.

Barcelona move up to second, one point behind leaders Atletico Madrid, thanks to a sixth La Liga win in a row.

Barca looked as if they were going to be frustrated but the turning point was Oscar Plano’s straight red card for a dangerous foul on Dembele.

Dembele volleyed home in the last minute from Ronald Araujo’s flick-on.

Both sides hit the woodwork in the first half - Kenan Kodro’s header for Valladolid and Pedri’s low drive for Barcelona being tipped on to the post.

Barcelona’s title hopes are in their hands now after Atletico lost to Sevilla at the weekend. Barca visit Real Madrid in El Clasico this Saturday and host Atletico next month. (BBC)

Scotland will meet the Czech Republic, England and Croatia in Group D at Euro 2020.

Scotland to play Netherlands & Luxembourg in Euro 2020 warm-up games SCOTLAND will play warm-up friendlies against the Netherlands and Luxembourg in preparation for the summer’s European Championship.

Steve Clarke will take his squad to Portugal to meet the Dutch on 2 June then go to Luxembourg four days later.

Scotland begin their first appearance in a major finals since

1998 against the Czech Republic at Hampden Park on 14 June.

England and Croatia are their other opponents in Group D. “Luxembourg and the Netherlands offer us two very different challengers, both valuable to us ahead of our Group D fixtures,” said Clarke.

“The matches provide an opportunity to build on the

progress that got us to the finals and fine-tune before what we all want to be a memorable return to a major tournament.”

Scotland last met Luxembourg in a 2012 friendly, with Jordan Rhodes scoring twice in a 2-1 away win.

The most recent encounter with the Netherlands came in 2017, with the visitors winning 1-0 in a friendly at Pittodrie. (BBC)

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April 6-12, 2021

Former Dublin schoolboy reveals how he ended up playing internationally for the TCI LIKE the other boarders at Kings Hospital school in 2011, Jack McKnight went home for summer.

But, when he returned in September to begin his Leaving Cert year, he had better material than most if asked for an essay on what he had done over the holidays.

He had played in two World Cup qualifiers for the Turks & Caicos Islands less than a month after celebrating his 17th birthday.

That might not have got much recognition here beyond the corridors of the Palmerstown school back then.

Almost a decade on, however, when he did so again last week, United Churches League side VEC FC were quick to celebrate his achievements online.

After time in Argentina and England, KPMG’s audit graduate scheme had brought him back to Dublin and he had been lining out for the Terenure-based side until returning home to the Caribbean to work from home became an opportunity.

LIFE STORY So, who is Jack McKnight?

Be careful with internet searches because there is a player of the same name at Slough Town and his picture is wrongly ascribed to our man.

He is the son of an Irish mother, Eleanor, from just outside Midleton and an English father Peter.

Jack was born and grew up in England until the age of six when his dad, a lawyer, decided he wanted a change of scenery.

CHANGE OF SCENERY They moved to the Turks & Caicos Islands which are east of Cuba and north of Hispaniola, the island shared by Haiti and Dominican Republic.

Although summers were spent

in Cork when he occasionally tried his hand at Gaelic football, there Jack remained until the Leaving Cert cycle.

Then, he was sent to Kings Hospital. Strangely, it was not even the first time the worlds of Palmerstown and Turks & Caicos overlapped.

In 2004, this paper interviewed Gerry Gregg, a former Dublin minor hurler who had made one League of Ireland B appearance for UCD before moving to the Caribbean.

MORE CONNECTIONS THAN YOU’D THINK After acquiring citizenship, the goalkeeper had been picked to play in two World Cup qualifiers against Haiti.

Speaking from the family home, McKnight said: “Gerry is a neighbour and family friend. I can see his house as I talk to you.”

Kings Hospital’s famous former pupils include An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, current Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman, singer Lisa Hannigan and TV presenter Kathryn Thomas.

Modern pentathlete Natalya Coyle is the third Olympian, after Heike Holstein and Camilla Speirs competed in equestrian events.

Rugby is the dominant team sport but McKnight admitted: “I played a bit but rugby wouldn’t really be my forte and we were only really able to play soccer in the summer months.”

INTERNATIONAL START Despite that, he was good enough to be considered for a country which, back in 2011, had a population of around 30,000, although it has since swelled to more than 40,000.

McKnight — a winger who can operate on the left or right — started training with the national

Jack McKnight played in two World Cup qualifiers for the Turks & Caicos Islands less than a month after celebrating his 17th birthday.

team when the academic year ended.

And he did well enough to be brought on in both legs of their qualifier against Bahamas which they lost 6-0 and 4-0.

He recalled: “I probably didn’t realise what an opportunity it was at the time. It was a good experience.”

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS With no ambition or expectation of becoming a professional footballer — the country currently has just two — subsequent international appearances have been fitted around where life has taken him.

He spent three years at Royal Holloway, University of London, obtaining a business management and accountancy degree and playing for the college side.

History repeated itself as he returned home ahead of his final year, lining out in Caribbean Cup qualifiers against Aruba, French

Guiana and the British Virgin Islands, the last of which yielded his first win.

McKnight then moved to Argentina to work for PriceWaterhouseCooper in Rosario, during which time the only football he played was social five-a-sides.

IRISH RETURN In September 2017, he returned to these shores as a trainee on KPMG’s audit graduate scheme and sought to play a little more seriously.

McKnight said: “I was living in Terenure and they were the closest team with a good structure so I messaged the coach and he got back to me and we took it from there.”

He spent the next three years or so lining out for them in the UCL, returning to the international scene as an unused substitute in the 3-2 Concacaf Nations League win over St Vincent and Grenadines in

October 2018.

But, last October, because of lockdown — which meant he could not work in the office or train or play football — he decided to move back home, where Covid-19 restrictions were a little more relaxed.

LIGHTER RESTRICTIONS He said: “There’s a curfew but not a full lockdown. Restaurants can operate at half-capacity and the vaccine rollout is going pretty well.”

At first, he was working strictly on Irish time which meant 4am starts, although that has now been pushed back to 6am or 7am.

But that has at least allowed him to train with the national team in the afternoons.

Although Covid restrictions are not as severe as here, their World Cup qualifiers against Nicaragua and Belize were staged in the CONTINUED 

April 6-12, 2021

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The hard work by the FA in developing youth football is paying off.

TCIFA U15 girls surge to big win in Florida Mr and Mrs Otuonye after the wedding.

Otuonye marries university sweetheart IFEANYI Otuonye is now a married man. The 26-year-old national athlete tied the knot on Sunday to his university sweetheart, who is a former 400M hurdler.

The former Kansas State University athlete, who is also the national long-jump record holder, told the Weekly News that getting married just felt right. He said that due to the pandemic the ceremony was curtailed.

“It was an awesome intimate wedding, only about 25 of our close friends and families attended. Because of the pandemic and travel restrictions and risks we limited the group. But it made it that much more special as they were able to share this

special day with us.”

The wedding took place in Waxahachie, Texas.

Those not present learned about the union via social media and TCI’s most dominant recorded holder promised a destination wedding celebration.

“To our extended family & friends who couldn’t make it, don’t worry; we plan on having a destination wedding celebration in the upcoming future. Stay tuned for that date, we will keep you posted & let you know WELL IN ADVANCE!” We at the Weekly News join the rest of the athletic community in congratulating Mr and Mrs Otuonye on their new chapter in life.

THE Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) U15 Girls team surged to an impressive 6-1 victory when they tackled Port St Lucie United in a clash on Monday during their training camp in Florida.

The victory was memorable more so because female football is clearly turning the corner and could become our pride and joy in the coming years.

Several members of the FA

were elated with the win and sent congratulations to the young players via social media.

President of the FA, Sonia Fulford Missick said that she was ‘proud’.

According to information from the FA, Irener Moline and Callie Hall scored two goals each, while Hannah Chaplin and Anjali Saunders added the others.

The girls opened their Port St

Lucie Training Camp on Sunday with a 7-0 loss to Parkland Girls, while the U15 males had lost to Parkland Boys 1-0. In their second clash, the TCI boys suffered a 3-0 loss to PSL United.

The girls were expected to play again on Wednesday with their final game on Thursday.

The U15 boys were scheduled to play on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Former Dublin schoolboy reveals ...

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Dominican Republic, which was also used as a base for six other countries.

HARSH LEVEL He said: “We were there for a fortnight and kind of confined to our hotels because we wanted to make sure we were going back with negative test results.”

Two losses were not a surprise but McKnight said there was a good bit of difference between the 7-0 defeat against the allprofessional Nicaragua side and the 5-0 reverse against Belize.

He said: “Nicaragua were the much better team.

“Belize, we felt hard done by, we got to the 45th minute at

0-0 but then mentally imploded, conceded one just before halftime and two just after.

“If you’d watched the first half you wouldn’t have thought it would be a 5-0.

“It can get dispiriting at times if you’re losing by a big score but opponents are always respectful.”

FINAL TESTS There is one final qualifier, against Haiti, the strongest team in the group, in June.

McKnight is hopeful that can be played at home, not least because there is a large Haitian population which would make for a good atmosphere.

Qualification is, obviously, not on the cards but McKnight said: “We want to progress and

get our ranking up.

“The more you do that, the more funding comes. The Nations League has been good for us, we’ve had some decent results in that.”

The Haiti challenge will be followed by another test in August, his accountancy exams.

McKnight is unsure whether the Covid situation will have improved sufficiently by then for it to make sense for him to do them in Dublin as he can sit them remotely.

And, beyond then, international football will again have to fit in with the logistics of work — if he had been based in Dublin, he simply would not have been able to take the time off to play in the qualifiers. (Thesun.ie)

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

April 6-12, 2021