Weekly News Volume 34 | No. 32 | August 8-14, 2020
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RESORT GROUP LAYS OFF 250
A staggering 250 TCI tourism and hospitality workers will be jobless from Monday as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to hammer the industry.
Horses die suddenly in Grand Turk – cause unknown
GOV’T PROMISES HELP FOR NEW SMALL BUSINESSES
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EXPERTS ‘EXCITED’ BY EARLY SUCCESS IN CORAL DISEASE FIGHT
THE RICH ARE STILL BUYING LUXURY HOMES, SOTHEBY’S REPORT REVEALS
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
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August 8-14, 2020
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Public workers among new Covid-19 cases
POLICE force employees, civil servants and a supermarket worker are among those who tested positive to Covid-19 this week as cases in the TCI sharply rose. On Wednesday (August 5), the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force confirmed that three staff members had tested positive for Covid-19 in Providenciales. Several staffers were placed into quarantine to assure the safety of team members and the community, the statement from the police press office read. “While we continue to police and keep the communities of the TCI safe, we have taken the necessary precautions for the decontamination and deep cleansing of our offices.” At the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, the force mobilised a plan that included staffing protocols to assure quality police services were continued without interruption. These safety measures and practices were put in place within the various departments. They included the wearing of facemasks during working hours, use of PPE when dealing with prisoners, social distancing, wiping down shared equipment and vehicles, hand washing and sanitising. On Tuesday, the Department of Road Safety received confirmation
from the Ministry of Health that an employee of the Providenciales office had tested positive for Covid-19. The employee is now under quarantine. The Ministry of Home Affairs along with the department are working with the Ministry of Health to ensure that all protocols are being followed as it relates to contact tracing. As an immediate response, the Department of Road Safety in Providenciales was closed to the public on Wednesday for the deep cleaning and sanitisation. This is in keeping with the established guidelines of the civil service for the minimisation and prevention of the spread of the virus within offices and among employees and customers. “We wish to assure the public that the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Road Safety have and continue to follow all health protocols for the protection
of our staff and our clients,” a statement from the department read. Also on Wednesday, an employee of Graceway Gourmet was confirmed positive for Covid-19. “We have asked the individual to self-isolate for the recommended
period as advised by the Ministry of Health,” a statement from the supermarket said. “We have worked with the Ministry of Health to complete contact tracing, and traced all Gourmet employees who have worked closely with the individual within the last seven days, and asked them to self-isolate as per guidelines.” In addition to heightened sanitation measures across all stores, an assessment was completed of the employee’s work area at the Graceway Gourmet store. The company performed an immediate disinfection of the area.
It also employed a thirdparty professional electrostatic disinfection service across the entire Gourmet building, shop floor, storage space, offices, washrooms and employee areas. “Graceway continues to work diligently to maintain the best cleaning and safety standards for our customers and employees,” the company said. “We strictly adhere to the Ministry of Health Covid-19 guidelines to maintain public health. The affected employee will be taken care of during the selfisolation period and upon their return to work.
Gov’t promises help for new small businesses Also announces work on unemployment insurance scheme BY DELANA ISLES
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 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
THE GOVERNMENT is promising to provide opportunities for new businesses that have popped up during the global pandemic, as well as unemployment insurance to residents. Both of these initiatives are being taken in response to the economic fallout resulting from Covid-19. In a Facebook post last week, Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson commended the initiative taken and creativity of those small business owners who put the lockdown to good use. “Throughout the TCI there however seems to be a surge in the number of small businesses, which speaks to the level of creativity that has emerged as a result of this pandemic. “We have witnessed the emergence of new businesses in the area of food takeout and delivery services, advertising and promotions via social media platforms, e-commerce platforms, webpages
Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson and face masks making etc. “We have also seen the repurposing of existing businesses.” She said this is encouraging and augurs well for economic transformation. “The level that these businesses will be sustained will be one of the positives of this pandemic in the Turks and Caicos Islands.” The premier said the Department of Trade, Invest TCI and private sector institutions have started working together to find ways of helping these new businesses to be more sustainable and to expand, even after the pandemic has subsided.
As it relates to the unemployment benefits for out of work residents, the Government is taking the necessary legislative steps to ensure this happens. In the post Cabinet statement on the July 27 meeting, it was reported that Cabinet has approved the drafting of amendments to the National Insurance Ordinance. This will facilitate the establishment of a temporary unemployment insurance scheme and a permanent unemployment insurance scheme to commence in 2022. A funding mechanism is also being established to support the scheme.
August 8-14, 2020
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
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Resort group dismisses 250 workers due to Covid-19 BY OLIVIA ROSE A STAGGERING 250 TCI tourism and hospitality workers will be jobless from Monday as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to hammer the industry. Turks and Caicos Collection, a group of four all-inclusive resorts, this week made the decision to let go of a large percentage of its workforce for at least eight weeks. In a letter obtained by the Weekly News dated August 6, employees were informed of the dismissal which will begin on Monday, August 10. The letter explained that the decision came as businesses struggle to revive operations following the nationwide lockdown enforced during the height of the coronavirus outbreak. “Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the hospitality industry and the continuous fallouts that we experience daily, we have made the decision to lay off employees in an effort to mitigate the loss of business experienced to date,” it said. According to a reliable source, some 13 executives were also made redundant. The Weekly News reached out to the company, which manages Ambergris Cay, Alexandra Resort, Beach House Resort and Blue Haven Resort, for a comment on the matter. Human resources director Beryl Hanfield-Charles said a statement
Empty beach chairs at Alexandra Resort in Grace Bay, Providenciales (photo by Turks and Caicos Collection)
Armando Pizzuti, executive vice president of Turks and Caicos Collection (photo by TCHTA)
will be issued soon. The travel and hospitality industry has been one of the hardest-hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Although the borders have reopened, hotel occupancy rates are still low across the territory. Club Med Turkoise on Thursday announced it is not going to reopen until October 24. In a Facebook post it said the decision was made “due to continued travel restrictions that remain in place around the world and subsequent flight cancellations, as well as ensuring the health and safety of both our guests and staff”. A few weeks ago, Beaches allinclusive family resort, which is responsible for the majority of passengers to the TCI, announced it is delaying its opening to October 14. Armando Pizzuti, executive vice president of Turks and Caicos
hotels are going to be without business for August and September. “We’ve been off the map since March, so I can tell you that we’re in trouble and without Beaches we cannot open and that is what I think this industry needs to understand. “You guys have the anchor here, the condo owners don’t bring in any money and they are not hiring any employees.” He stressed that no other hotel or resort besides Beaches could drive the traffic needed to sustain hotel operations in Providenciales. “For the industry this is a total disaster. We are hoping that you guys are pulling some muscles to bring this island back on the map, because I don’t have that muscle, the Government doesn’t have that muscle.” In a press statement issued on July 28, Beaches said there is “no magic wand” to fix the damage the unprecedented pandemic has inflicted. The resort underscored that it is working with all stakeholders to find a solution.
Suspect arrested over car theft A MAN was arrested over his suspected involvement in a car theft in the Lower Bight, Providenciales, on Monday morning (August 3). Keniel Duverzil, 24, is in police custody following the incident. Charges had not been laid at time of press according to police press officer Takara Bain. Two armed men approached a man as he was entering his home at about 11.30am on
Monday and told him to hand over his silver Jeep Patriot car. The men drove off towards Grace Bay Village. Police were notified of the theft and officers immediately responded to the location where the car was recovered and one suspect was apprehended. The second robber is still at large. Anyone with information on the robbery can call 911 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477.
Collection, hosted a luncheon and press conference at Beaches resort on July 24. He expressed his concern about the potential fallout for the economy due to the delayed opening of the resort. “I think it’s devastating news,” he said. “I just want to make sure that people understand that Beaches Resort is the anchor for this island and [it] carries 60 to 70 percent of the seats coming here. “While I am very happy that you have announced the date, it is horrible news. Personally, it’s certainly not good news to me. “It’s horrible news for my business, and it’s horrible news for my staff.” Pizzuti said the two-and-a-halfmonth delay in reopening will not augur well for the territory. “Beaches had their own reason why they are not opening like everybody else, but I can tell you, make no mistake when Beaches sneeze we all catch pneumonia. “The amount of money that Beaches invests in the extra marketing and advertisement we all benefit from it. “I can tell you and in my situation Beach House is closed, Blue Haven is closed and the Alexandra is closed because there is no business.” Pizzuti, who represents the four resorts in the group, said some 450 staff members would have to be sent home. “I have to tell my 450 staff that they can’t come to work, because I have no business. “You guys have the largest hotel on this island and I don’t think there is business for nobody else because the 30 to 40 people coming in everyday don’t move the needle.” He explained that opening October 14 means that smaller
“Let us be clear, there is no magic wand that is going to make this better overnight.” Beaches said reopening successfully will “require many millions of dollars in marketing, extensive coordination with vast numbers of travel agents, tour operators and airline partners throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, the UK and Europe, along with robust training of team members on the ground, all of which can only be achieved through experience, hard work and an excellent reputation”. It added: “We fully recognise that Beaches is the anchor resort of the TCI, as was pointed out just days ago by fellow hotelier Armando Pizzuti of the Turks and Caicos Collection who lamented what the closure of Beaches until October 14 would mean for the destination in the interim.” The resort stressed that it is working feverishly to get back on track to support the economy and livelihoods of the people of the TCI.
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
August 8-14, 2020
A Weekly News column that puts you on the spot for your opinions on the issues of the day
HOW HAS GOVERNOR DAKIN PERFORMED? ON JULY 27, Governor Nigel Dakin celebrated one year in the TCI with a recap of progress he has made, experiences he has cherished and plans he has for the rest of his tenure. How do you think he has performed so far? Gets things done
This man has proven exemplary. Decent, nice and engaging. He is doing his best and having a military background helps, he is practical and tries to get things done. Do not think Whitehall, the EU and the OECD help and who control this place. The latter want to enact tax and under surreptitious auspices and have already set this up in readiness with an office. His predecessors, gormless preprogrammed twits. We are totally committed to tourism but its alternative, a financial offshore operation, is simply ludicrous. They will not let it happen. Banks want to move out of here and given the cost of living, utilities that cost the Earth and guaranteed power outages, forget it. The UK has double back tracked on this for the past 30 years. We are like dogs chasing our tails. Covid-19 and the way we are handling it, one suspects, go against this man’s principals.
Carrying out an agenda
They come and they go. Some have been really bad like governor Martin Bourke and others simply carry out the agenda as instructed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Dakin would have to be really bad to surpass Bourke - so he might very well fit in the latter category.
Read between the lines
To measure Governor Dakin’s performance of his first year is like asking a baby their accomplishment of said term. Certain events are expected within a certain period. However, if those events don’t occur and others do, to assess a pass or failing grade is futile. The governors of this country are appointed without a manifesto, the yard stick document we behold to our politicians and they themselves to it. Personally, the success of any governor of this country, present or future, is to resolve or even significantly curb the rate of seafaring illegal immigration and equip our law enforcement forces (police, marine, customs, immigration) the tools and techniques needed to resolve our crimes expeditiously. ‘Nuff said.
Caring and articulate
His Excellency Governor Nigel Dakin hit the ground running and is one of the best governors the Turks and Caicos Islands has ever had. He is personable, he is caring, he is articulate, he is engaging and he has the people and the affairs of the Turks and Caicos Islands at heart. He is doing just what his title indicates. #Excellent #FiveMoreYears #NigelDakenForTCIPremier #A+Rating
Give this guy a chance
How this governor did over the past year 2019-2020 may be a matter of the ‘jury is still out’. He is here to work with the elected government, otherwise all bets are off and or this could well be a watershed moment in TCI’s constitutional emergence. Governor Dakin may be judged by his gubernatorial style. In his annual speech, he stated he would govern through four values: listening, caring, serving and being straight and thorough. All indicators are that there is a degree of collegiality between the governor, the premier and the elected component of Cabinet. At the Beginning of the Covid-19 phase, even though he had full powers to enact emergency legislation unilaterally, he jettisoned that approach in favour of a steady and cooperative approach with the premier. This signals that despite constitutional restrictions, the Brits seem prepared to allow the people to govern through their elected representatives. Maybe it is a sign that the Islands are coming of age and that the TCI people are finally showing a decided ability to fully grasp constitutional government. His remarks indicate a measured level of respect for the people and their cultural icons. There is a level of cooperation at Cabinet, which is not lost on the governor. He said at time of crisis a Cabinet consensus, not a vote, is essential. There are indeed tangible signs that the
deputy governor and the attorney general are cooperative and collegial in all of this. Maybe it is time, without being historically naïve, to give this guy a chance. There are serious challenges facing the premier as minister of development to reengineer this economy, veer sharply towards an expansionist phase, manage Covid-19, crime and illegal immigration. Her Government cannot be bothered with bureaucratic nonsense, civil servants holding things up and the governor playing minister. So, his approach is welcome in letting the elected ministers be ministers. It is against this criterion, the governor’s awareness of the challenges the Islands face, that he deserves a grade greater than his self-imposed 50 percent.
Volunteer work
We are still looking forward to meeting with Governor Nigel Dakin to discuss the volunteer role of 1 World Foundation in meeting the needs of people with special needs in the Islands. We’ve had previous discussion in the past with Governor Ric Todd and his successors.
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August 8-14, 2020
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Thirteen new Covid-19 cases recorded Health minister calls on residents to adhere to social distancing rules BY OLIVIA ROSE THE TURKS and Caicos Islands recorded 13 new cases of coronavirus this week. The new cases now bring the total number of active cases to 87, according to Minister of Health Hon. Edwin Astwood. During a press conference on Wednesday (August 5), Astwood disclosed that the 13 new cases comprised of seven women and six men. He said ages ranged from 26 to 55-years-old and two of the cases are contacts of other known cases. This increases the number of people who have tested positive for Covid-19 in the TCI since the start
of the pandemic to 129. No new Covid-19 related deaths have been recorded and total Covid-19 related deaths remain at two. Astwood further revealed that 11 of the new cases are symptomatic with no known links to confirmed cases. “Ten of the new cases reside in either Blue Hills, Glass Shack or Kew Town of Providenciales. However, of these new cases three were identified from North Caicos. “These cases represent the first confirmed cases on the island of North Caicos, all have recently visited Providenciales.” The minister pointed out that all of those who tested positive have
Man found dead in Grand Turk POLICE are treating the death of a man in Grand Turk on Thursday (August 6) as suspicious. The deceased man was found on the roadway near a bar in the West Road District, according to the police press office.
Emergency services were informed of the discovery at about 12.04am and rushed to the scene where the young man was pronounced dead. Anyone with information on the robbery can call 911 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477.
Hunt on for Grand Turk robber after woman attacked A WOMAN was assaulted during a robbery at her home in Palm Grove in Grand Turk on Saturday evening (August 1), leading to a police hunt for the culprit. A man armed with an unknown object pushed the female victim to the ground before taking her vehicle, two cellular phones and an unknown amount of cash. Police were alerted to the incident at about 9.51pm and
immediately responded to the scene, according to the police press office. Later that evening at about 11.30pm, the vehicle was recovered in Cork Tree and the police Forensic Support Unit removed it for processing. Anyone with information on the robbery can call 911 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-8008477.
Robbers raid Providenciales bar and food truck AN ARMED man dressed in dark clothing entered a bar on Airport Road, Providenciales, on Monday (August 3) and demanded he be given cash. He left the bar on foot with an undisclosed sum of money and police were alerted at 11.53pm, Takara Bain from the police press office said. The same day, the operator of a
food truck along the Airport Road told police that she was robbed of cash. She explained that two armed men had demanded that she hand over money and then fled on foot. Anyone with information on either robbery can call 911 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477.
Hon. Edwin Astwood during a press briefing on Wednesday
been notified of their results and placed in mandatory quarantine. He said that aggressive contact tracing is being conducted by the Public Health Team. The health minister added that there are several factors that continue to impact the spread of the virus at the community level. There is a serious lack of compliance with established Covid-19 rules especially as it relates to social gathering, he said. “We have a problem with some young people and social gatherings, and also some churches.
“We get the reports, we see the videos, these behaviours are not intelligent - and we have to crack down on it. It is disrespectful, reckless, irresponsible and also illegal.” Astwood reminded residents that although the territory has reopened and life has resumed some semblance of normalcy, preventative measures still need to be adhered to by all. “Some people are having unsafe parties and social gatherings throughout all our communities, not just in Provo; but now is not
the time for that, and if you do socialise, simply wear your face mask, face shield or other face coverings. “Just suppose one person at the gathering is positive and infects 10 others who then take it home and infect a parent or relative, who then dies.” He revealed that his ministry has taken note of the violations of the protocols by some individuals and has scaled up its enforcement efforts. “Persons must adhere to the guidelines to prevent spread,” Astwood stressed. “We know the exponential spread of viruses - recall one person infects two people, those two people then each infect two more people.” He said that if 85 to 90 percent of residents continue to wear masks and practice social distancing and frequent hand washing the spread of the virus will be significantly lowered. The territory only has one new recovery which brings the total number of recoveries to 39. One confirmed case continues to remain under hospital care. Overall, the territory has recorded a total of 1,252 test results, with 1,123 confirmed to be negative and 129 positive confirmations.
Under the tree By Benneth Williams
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August 8-14, 2020
Horses die suddenly in Grand Turk – cause unknown
BY REBECCA BIRD SEVERAL horses were found dead or severely ill in Grand Turk last weekend, but the cause of their sickness has not yet been determined. On Saturday (August 1), concerned residents reached out for help on Facebook, posting photos and videos of the distressed and dying animals. The first two deaths were reported at Grand Turk dumpsite while another animal was found close to St Thomas Anglican Church on Osborne Road, according to one resident. Four more were seen lying on the ground, writhing in pain, nearby. Resident Robert Hall, who circulated a video and photos of some of the sick horses on Sunday, said another three had died bringing the total at the time to six. The Weekly News immediately reached out to Director of Agriculture Dr Shelley Bridgewater who said the department had been notified and is investigating. “We will continue to monitor the situation very carefully as to ascertain the cause and to reduce any more horses or animals being affected,” she said. On Monday, the Turks and Caicos Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TCSPCA) released a statement from its board of directors. It said the group is unable to travel to Grand Turk due to the pandemic so it does not have firsthand knowledge of who owns the horses that are dying or the cause
of death. “What we do know is that the horses are suffering painful deaths some perhaps due to environmental causes, others possibly due to neglect,” the statement read. “The TCSPCA stands ready to assist in resolving this crisis once we can ascertain the facts.” The group has attempted to solicit assistance from the Grand Turk SPCA whose members live in Grand Turk. TCSPCA director Susan Blehr told the Weekly News she will be meeting with Dr Bridgewater, who she said had been to Grand Turk, on Friday at the Governor’s Office. On Tuesday, a petition was shared across social media platforms demanding that the Government help to save the horses. “We demand that TCIG take immediate action in a humane manner to aid these animals and to immediately prosecute those who may be at fault for their condition, whether this is intentional harm or due to environmental hazard or neglect.” At time of press the petition had amassed 323 signatures. On Thursday, the Government press office released a statement on the deaths. It said the Department of Agriculture with the assistance of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is investigating the horse deaths. “From preliminary reports, this is a new occurrence and is not related to any other event involving horses recently in Grand Turk,” it read. The Weekly News reported
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This horse was photographed battling for his life by Grand Turk resident Robert Hall
last month that horses owned by Chukka Caribbean Adventures appeared malnourished in videos published by worried residents online. However, the Chukka country manager Candace Richards told the Weekly News on Thursday that none of the recently found sick or dying horses are owned by the company. According to the Government, several of the horses are privately owned and it advised all horse owners to confine or enclose their animals.
“Do not allow your horse (or animals) to roam in pursuit of food, as they can consume items that can be detrimental and result in fatalities,” the statement said. It went on to ask that anyone who finds an animal ill, lying down or dead should not attempt to touch it and contact the Department of Agriculture. “Do refrain from feeding roaming horses at this time as their digestive system is very sensitive to sudden changes in diet,” the statement added. “Thank you, the residents of
Grand Turk for your continued vigilance and assistance to help resolve this matter.” Contact details are Providenciales 338-5269, Grand Turk 338-3882 or email agriculture@gov.tc or Director of Agriculture Dr Shelley Bridgewater on sbridgewater@ gov.tc Anyone maliciously trying to harm animals can be reported immediately to the Royal TCI Police Force on 911. They will face a fine of $5,000 and up to six months in prison.
Armed man arrested in Five Cays A WHITE Skyline car with no registration plate carrying four people was intercepted by police in Five Cays, Providenciales, on Monday evening (August 3). One of the passengers, Luckenly Pierre, was arrested after he was found with one round of ammunition and an illegal firearm in his possession. He has not yet been charged. Two other occupants are currently assisting with investigations, while the fourth suspect fled the scene. The car was stopped at about 8.30pm, according to the police press office, and investigations are ongoing. A day earlier, police recovered an illegal gun and ammunition from along the roadway on Butterfield Drive in Kew Town, Providenciales. Officers were dispatched to the area at 9.45am, according to the police press office, where they discovered the firearm. The Forensic Support Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos
This gun was found along the roadway on Butterfield Drive in Kew Town, Providenciales
Islands Police Force secured the items for processing. Anyone with information on
illegal firearms can call 911 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477.
August 8-14, 2020
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
NEWS
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Heavy rainfall over several hours saw Butterfield Square become flooded
The storm toppled trees in the Lower Bight, Providenciales (Photo by RTC)
Parts of Salt Cay were also flooded following the storm (photo by Titus de Boer)
Hurricane Isaias triggers flash floods and knocks out power BY OLIVIA ROSE STRONG winds and heavy rainfall from hurricane Isaias toppled trees, flooded streets and knocked out power for hundreds of homes in the TCI last week. On Thursday, July 30, residents braced for what was then a tropical storm as it barrelled towards the territory after pounding Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Many rushed to complete last minute tasks and finalise preparations for the storm - some
boarding up windows and securing loose objects as gusty winds began to arrive. All of the Government’s nonessential services ceased operations for the entire day. The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) issued a notice advising a national shutdown from 12 noon to include airports and businesses. It said this was in keeping with the TCI Government Systematic Shutdown Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines.
“First responders and essential workers are required to report to work,” it said. “All other businesses must remain closed and adhere to guidelines.” Later that evening Isaias strengthened into a category one hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 to 80 miles per hour. As the hurricane pummelled the Islands throughout the night it unleashed six to eight inches of torrential rain turning many streets into fast-flowing rivers in its wake. Parts of Providenciales including
Five Cays, Blue Hills, Kew Town and the entire Butterfield Square where the Town Centre Mall and IGA Smart supermarket are located were flooded. Parts of Salt Cay and Grand Turk also ended up under water. As residents welcomed a new morning on Friday, July 31, gusty winds waned and the storm moved on towards the Bahamas. The DDME issued an ‘all clear’ notice on its social media platforms at 4pm on Friday. Hurricane Isaias churned toward
Florida and then to the Carolinas after hitting the Bahamas on Friday. According to the New York Times, the storm made landfall in North Carolina as a category one hurricane and quickly weakened to a tropical storm. It left a trail of floods, fires and thousands of people without electricity. Two people were killed and several others were injured in North Carolina. The storm has since fizzled out to a post-tropical cyclone.
10 NEWS OPINIONS
August 8-14, 2020
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Ravages of famine: How the TCI could mitigate against it
AS NATIONS point their artillery at each other, the world over will soon be at war, blocking strategic transhipment of foods and stirring up another crisis within a crisis. Government policies slow economic growth thus impacting inflation rates and when the global population is expected to rise, as forecast by the UN, from 7.4 billion to 8.5 billion by 2030, this impetus will certainly drive a population imbalance. Meanwhile, the disastrous effects of adverse weather conditions, pests and soil diseases could catapult crop failures. Hence, leaders must plot a road map to evince better food and land uses. If not, the aftermath would be damning, sparking regional malnutrition, starvation, an epidemic and inevitably, a high mortality rate. Noteworthy, famine is not just a lack of food, it is broadly understood especially in places like Somalia to be an extreme crisis of access to adequate food. Henceforth, the TCI must pursue actions to mitigate the actuality of famine before it is declared. More so, the authorities must focus their attention and institute an integrated food
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.
security programme collaborating with NGO’s like Oxfam and other special interest groups both local and foreign. Leaders must develop trade relationships and sign trade agreements with regional markets for the constant supply of food. They should include Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St Lucia, Jamaica, Honduras and Costa Rica. Those that are in close proximity and whose trade routes are not likely to be affected by wars in other parts of the globe. In addressing the potential production crisis of food, which includes livestock, the TCI Government must accelerate investments programmes in food production in the event trade is halted – be it by fuel
shortage, hurricanes and other natural disasters, droughts or soil diseases. In times past, we’ve all experienced and felt the consequences of a small blip in food arrivals. Green houses, an irrigation system, tools and raw materials and imported top soil must be afforded to small-holder farmers and pastoralists to encourage local production, bolstering the integrated food security initiative. In this quest, access to aid and budgetary investments geared toward upgrading roads and communication systems must take priority, enabling the public to engage market failures, thus strengthening the markets when warranted. Other response solutions suggest that
systems need to move away from the discretionary relief to undertaking social assistance to poverty-stricken communities, giving them access to food throughout the year and insurances of automatically triggering support in a crisis. Interestingly, Chris Hufstader, a senior writer and editor at Oxfam details in his piece that famine is neither caused by wars nor droughts nor an outbreak of diseases nor the debunked 19th century theory of overpopulation. Indicating instead that famine is subsequent to multiple factors, compounded by poor and sometimes intentionally bad policy decisions which place people in vulnerable positions. When that vulnerability is ignored it leads to famine. Besides, it was political scientist Alex de Waal who describes famine as a political scandal, a direful disintegration in government capacity to deal with situations necessary to prevent famine. It is important to study the supply of food, advocate for policies to prevent catastrophic disruption, hence helping people to survive in a pandemic.
COMMENTARY
Would you prefer to be a bird or a bee?
NATURE is a wonderful and diverse thing. There are thousands of species. The birds, most of which can fly, mate in pairs and join in raising their young. Some mate for life. The bees join in colonies. Most bees are sterile females with one queen bee which is waited on day and night by the sterile females. They do not think independently. Each bee does her job and will suffer death for the sake of the queen and colony. Bee colonies grow when the queen starts fertile princesses in special hive cells. The first princess emerges to kill the others. The few fertile males are killed also. When bees sting, they die. Would you prefer being a bird or a bee? While animals and insects come in a vast variety only
BY DAVID TAPFER
David is a retired mobile hydraulic engineer and business executive. He has been married to Middle Caicos native Yvette Robinson Tapfer for 30 years and has lived in Conch Bar, Middle Caicos, since 2002. David formerly served as branch chairman of the PDM from 2008 to 2011
mankind has a brain. Mankind was created with a brain that can figure how to improve his lot in life. Form human societies and countries. Humans acknowledge and praise the existence of the almighty, his son, the holy spirit. Why have some of these countries decided that God, church, religion do not exist? The leaders of these countries believe they are some kind of god. In modern times this has included Russia with its
communists, Germany with its Nazis and recently China with its communists. China’s commie leaders now think they should rule the world. That was the commie Russian plan prior to WWII when they signed a non-aggression pact with Adolf Hitler’s Germany. Then in 1941 Hitler turned on Russia attacking them with open warfare. Britain the USA and their allies then joined with Russia. No sooner was the war over then Russia turned on the allies and
we had to deal with the Russian led Soviet Union. This started what was called the Cold War. Fifty years later president Ronald Reagan out produced the Soviet Union with weapons of war - nuclear and conventional. Capitalist America easily out produced the communist Soviet Union. At the end of WWII, Russia convinced the Chinese to go communist. American army general Douglas MacArthur asked his government to back the capitalist Chinese elements. American president Harry Truman said no and fired MacArthur. The capitalist Chinese moved to the island of Formosa which is now called Taiwan. Interesting is that the British Chinese colony of Hong Kong which now belongs to China wants to stay a successful
capitalist state. The communist countries cannot persuade the capitalist world to join them because their economies have failed. Only the leaders have enriched themselves. The rich members of the British and American liberal parties want communism because they can keep the poor people down and keep themselves in power. Where are the free elections in Russia, China, Cuba, Venezuela? Where are the opportunities to start a business and improve the economic well-being of citizens’ families? Where are the incentives for their children? Incentives that come from them and their parents’ examples? The bees are always in danger of being stung. They will work hard for a short time then die or be killed by their own kind. They do not have the dream of a better nest.
August 8-14, 2020
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
NEWS 11
Thinking creatively about the uncertain end of the pandemic PART ONE A WEEK ago [written July 24], the government of the Bahamas took an unprecedented decision. It decided to ban the entry of visitors from what is by far and away its major tourism market, the United States. The reason, prime minster Hubert Minnis said, was because of a spike in imported cases of Covid-19 following the reopening of the country’s borders on July 1. In what the local media described as a sombre address, Mr Minnis banned all commercial flights and vessels from entering the country as of July 22 except for those coming from Canada, the UK and the EU. He also announced the closure of many beaches and the re-imposition of a curfew on Grand Bahama. Subsequently, Dionisio D’Aguilar, the country’s minister of tourism and aviation, told the Tribune newspaper that the Bahamas’ efforts to restart its principal industry had fallen victim to the inability of the US, from
BY DAVID JESSOP
David Jessop is a consultant to the Caribbean Council. He has worked on Caribbean issues for over 40 years. David is the editor of Caribbean Insight and Cuba Briefing publications. He can be contacted at david.jessop@caribbeancouncil.org
where 82 percent of the country’s visitors arrive, to bring the pandemic under control. The development points to the uncertain timing of the end of the pandemic and is the clearest indication yet of just how difficult it may be for the Caribbean to revive fully an industry that spreads wealth far beyond those who own the hotels. It also suggests the need to think differently about what constitutes value in a visitor and how by mutual consent this might be enhanced. Saving the rapid discovery and global roll out of a vaccine against the virus itself, those who are hoping for ‘a return to normality’ may be living under an illusion. For tourism to recover sustainably it will
be necessary for public health requirements at home and abroad to be the same, and national and visitor sentiment to be aligned. While desirable, this is unlikely, as the response to the virus has been politicised to such an extent a coordinated global response is now unachievable. It is therefore hard to believe that in the near future the region will see the return of the 31.5 million visitors who in 2019 stayed on average for nine nights, or the 30.2 million cruise passenger landings. To achieve either number would require the restoration of the same level of air and sea lift; the pandemic being fully under control in the region’s major markets, and especially the US; citizens, workers and
governments feeling confident that the virus is not being reintroduced by travellers; and robust testing and certification regimes existing at points of departure or arrival, and on-island follow-up systems that cannot be circumvented. Strikingly, almost every Caribbean nation has adopted a different health regime for arriving visitors. The countries of the OECS have introduced a varying mix of certification, testing and quarantine requirements, Cuba has decided on an approach that seeks to confine international visitors to a geographically contained area on its central northern cays, while Jamaica has introduced controlled safe corridors, requires an authorisation to travel, and testing on arrival. None of these measures are conducive to the return of mass tourism. They suggest that much more thought needs to be given as to how the region, at least in the short to medium term, thinks rather more creatively about who it wants to visit, how long it would like them to stay, and to develop programmes that might engage the attention of such travellers.
Will shut down and shut up become the norm? OUR country has a history of trying to shut people up when they express views that do not align with their views. Everyone has a right to express their views especially if they are highlighting shortcomings and recommending solutions. Do not let anyone shut you up or make you feel insignificant for speaking up and out. Now we have another issue on our hands, the shut down syndrome, if I may use that word. We shut down our country for four months due to Covid-19 and now there was a national shut down by the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) for a tropical storm. Was it necessary to shut down our country on Thursday last because of a tropical storm? There is too much power and decision making in the hands of a few individuals in this country. We have just set a new precedence by declaring a national shut down for a tropical storm. Are shutting down and shutting up going to be the new trend in TCI? Should we continue to settle for these type of decision
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.
makings in our country? The DDME notification to shut the country down has created not losses in the private sector but also confusion. DDME sent out an advisory saying that there will be a national shut down. On Thursday last, there was clarification from the attorney general stating the advisory from the DDME was not mandatory. If it was not mandatory, then why were some businesses and individuals forced to shut down by the police and why was there a time on the notice of the shut down? Because of the confusion, businesses were closed, employees were sent home, airlines discontinue flying in, government departments were closed and so businesses
did not have the opportunity to enjoy the two additional days for business licence without penalty. As a result, significant losses were encountered. I think the shutting down of a country should not come directly from DDME. The DDME can advise the Government and then the Government through the Office
of the Premier can either accept or reject their recommendation and advise the public on whether or not there is a shut down. Does the DDME have new guidelines and procedures as to when to recommend a shutdown of our country? Was this instruction from the DDME legal? If not, will anyone be held accountable for this? Of course not - we reward and praise those who perform below standards. As far as I know we should have never shut down our country for a tropical storm. Maybe there is something going on that I am missing. I have reached a point now where I am tired of the decisions being made by those in the public sector who continue to enjoy their benefits while making lives hard for us in the private sector. Shutting up and shutting down should never become the norm in our country.
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12 NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
DDME Director Dr Virginia Clerveaux during an appearance on ‘The Sit Down’ radio and online talk show
August 8-14, 2020
In 2017 category five hurricane Irma slammed through the territory leaving massive damage in its wake
‘It’s not a normal season’ – DDME director
BY OLIVIA ROSE “I DO not want people to take it easy thinking it’s just a tropical storm - we have to prepare and prepare as if we’re expecting a category five storm.” Dr Virginia Clerveaux, Director of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME), has made a plea for the public to “be ready and stay ready” this hurricane season. During ‘The Sit Down’ radio and online talk show hosted by Drexwell Seymour on July 28, Clerveaux spoke of the likely ferocity of the six-month season which ends in November. “This year’s hurricane season, we are looking at an active hurricane season,” she said, “it’s not a normal season and we have seen that already.” In June, Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorology Project team predicted 19 named storms including nine hurricanes, four to become major category three, four and five storms. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s a tropical storm or a cat five, we know too well in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the devastation that can be caused by a tropical storm,” she said. The DDME director, who joined Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson on the forum, spoke about measures taken before and during the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. She explained that in preparation the department has been working assiduously to leave no stone unturned when it comes to readiness. It has conducted a series of
We need individuals, residents, the private sector and Government to all play their role – Dr Virginia Clerveaux
tests to ensure the territory’s communication systems, shelters and disaster aid are up to par, she said. “Every Tuesday we’ve had communication tests on radio and satellite phones, just to ensure that persons who need to communicate during and after a storm can do so. “In terms of backup communications, we have satellite phones and they are operational, so we will be able to communicate.” Clerveaux said logistics supply training was also carried out to dictate how relief items would come into the territory and how they will be distributed. “We had damage and needs assessment, an initial damage assessment which is critical after impact should we need to. “We had our virtual town hall meetings because we could no longer go to the communities to meet with persons face to face.” The director added that leading up to the season, the DDME conducted a number of shelter management courses with an emphasis on Covid-19 and social distancing rules. Those sessions focused on protocols that will guide the
department and shelter managers in the event a storm impacts the territory, she said. “Shelter inspection was conducted early January and by March, long before Covid-19, we already had a list of shelters. “This was further updated as a result of Covid-19 to ensure that we took Covid-19 measures into consideration.” DRAINAGE AND FLOODING Clerveaux said that drains in many communities were cleared in anticipation of the season. And she added that residents also have a role to play in ensuring drains remain clean to alleviate flooding. “The drainage system has been cleaned and it’s an ongoing process,” she said, “so we’d like to encourage persons at this stage to ensure that you properly dispose of your garbage. “This tends to be an issue, clogging the drains affects flooding, we often find a lot of silt in the drains, this also leads to flooding. “The place will flood, we know this, but there are steps that we can take to ensure that we protect our lives, our families and our
properties.” Citizens were reminded that during a flood they should remain sheltered in place until waters recede. “If you do not need to be on the road, do not go on the road. Because just a few inches of rainfall can wash your vehicle away or it can sweep you off your feet. “We may have downed power lines and you may not know this, you can get electrocuted trying to cross through the water so that is a no, no. “We are encouraging persons to stay home and allow the first responders, those who need to be on the road, to do so. Clerveaux listed the low-lying communities that are prone to flooding and urged those residents in particular to be properly prepared. “So for Provo we have Blue Hills, Five Cays, Downtown, Kew Town, Grace Bay, Leeward and Long Bay - parts of those areas. “In Grand Turk we have Waterloo, Palm Grove, West Road, Cockburn Town, Back Salina, Over Back and North Creek. “South Caicos we have the town of the flat area, Airport Road and Old Airport Road. North Caicos we have Kew, Whitby, Sandy Point, Bottle Creek. “In Salt Cay we have north and the south district.” Clerveaux explained that the list of flood prone areas is constantly being updated due to ongoing development within communities. “After a storm or heavy rain, team DDME goes out there, do our surveillance, measures the water height or depth, takes pictures so that we can inform new risks of flooding going forward.” LEARNING FROM THE PAST Experiences with tropical storms and hurricanes over the years have
taught the Turks and Caicos Islands some hard lessons. In 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria slammed through the territory devastating the its housing stock and economy. Clerveaux hammered home this point as she reminded citizens of the havoc tropical storms wreaked on the TCI when they made landfall in the past. She said her department has learned crucial lessons from dealing with those monster hurricanes and has since enhanced systems to better respond to disasters of that magnitude. “What comes to mind is 2008 tropical storm Hanna. We saw what it did in South Caicos and other places. “In 2014, tropical storm Cristobal, we saw the devastation it caused in North and Middle Caicos and I’m sure there are several experiences of even smaller systems than a tropical storm that have flooded Providenciales. “Since Irma and Maria we have improved inter-island communication, so we’re now able to talk with our sister islands.” She said the department has produced storm surge and risk hazards maps, so before a storm it can map based on the characteristics of the storm which areas will be potentially flooded. “Our emergency relief items have already been prepositioned before March; we were ahead of the game in preparation for hurricane season 2020.” The DDME boss stressed that preparation and response to hurricanes requires an all hands on deck approach. “We need individuals, residents, the private sector and Government to all play their role to ensure that if we’re threatened and we have to respond that we can do so effectively.”
August 8-14, 2020
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Murder rate surpasses 2019 as man shot dead A THIRTY-eight-year-old man was shot dead in a drive-by near Thomas Stubbs roundabout in Providenciales on Wednesday evening (August 5). The death of the yet unnamed victim is the 14th homicide in the TCI this year – surpassing last year’s total of 13 which was the highest ever recorded in the territory. According to the police press office on Thursday, officers were informed of the shooting at about 11.19pm on Wednesday. They were told that masked men driving a dark vehicle approached two men changing a tyre along Leeward Highway and opened fire. More details will be released in the coming days. Nikira John from TCI Hospital
told the Weekly News that the man “never made it to the hospital”. Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting said: “I along with members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force express our condolences to the family of the deceased. “We acknowledge the impact this tragedy will have on the community as a whole.” The last murder recorded was on June 24 when Bursley Dolcine, 20, died from a gunshot wound which he had received a week earlier in his Kew Town home on June 16. Following the death of Dolcine, Botting said: “I have to reiterate how important it is for the community to work with us. “Please tell us what you know -
no matter how small, it could help with investigations.” Before that Hurd Harvey, 51, was stabbed to death in The Garden in North Back Salina, Grand Turk, on June 20. Twenty-year-old Garfield Dennie died on June 5, weeks after sustaining gunshot wounds in a shooting in Blue Hills, Providenciales, on May 23.
Pierecine Petite, was fatally shot off South Dock Road in Providenciales shortly after 4pm on June 5.
Nine-year-old Samardia Karioka was killed in her Grand Turk home on May 20. Her mother Najaj Karioka, 42, was taken into custody following the death. Percy Williams, 77, was shot
dead in his Blue Hills home on May 3 as he tried to protect his family from armed robbers. A murdered man, who is yet to be identified, was found at Blue Hills dump site on April 18 after reports were made of shots being fired in the vicinity. On April 13, Martin Barga, a 44-year old construction worker from the Dominican Republic, was tragically shot and killed on Millennium Highway in Blue Hills. On March 18, Acyjeune Brunorlien, 57, was shot dead during a home invasion in Five Cays, making it the third murder in just over a week. Godly Petiote, 21, died in hospital on March 12 after he was
shot several times on International Drive in Providenciales. Sheen Dean, 26, was shot dead on Bay Road in Blue Hills on March 10 - in an incident that left two others with serious injuries. Twenty-two-year-old Horace Wignal Junior, known as DJ Spookie, died from gunshot wounds on January 21 following a home invasion in Long Bay, Providenciales, earlier that month. The first murder of the year was that of 29-year-old Fritz Gerald Mossoul who died in Providenciales from gunshot wounds on January 17. Anyone with information on any incident can call 911 or contact Crime Stoppers confidentially on 1-800-8477.
CABINET MEETING SUMMARY HURRICANE Isaias, an unemployment insurance scheme and appointments to the Adoption Committee were all discussed at the 29th meeting of the Cabinet. Governor Nigel Dakin chaired the meeting on Saturday, July 27, by videoconference. All members were present, a press release issued from the Governor’s Office on August 1 said. AT THIS MEETING CABINET: - Were updated on movement of tropical storm, potentially category one hurricane, east of the Windward Islands and with the potential of impacting TCI by the weekend of August 1 and 2. Members were also updated on precautionary steps being taken by DDME and first responders. - Were updated on work being carried out in response to the Covid-19 pandemic including ongoing upgrade work in the two main hospitals, the National Public Laboratory and information management for internal use and public messaging. Members were also updated on testing including contact tracing, private laboratories, quarantining and recent staff uplifts in support of this work. - Discussed recommendations to extend control measures to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 which will be issued as legally enforceable guidelines by public authorities.
Issues discussed included but, were not restricted to, educational and religious instruction, funeral services and burial grounds, social activities, sports and training, public beaches, domestic travel, watersports, bars, restaurants and night clubs. - Noted a paper on the management, operation and funding of designated quarantine facilities and recommendations for future consideration by Cabinet. - Noted an information paper on a TCI Hospital Risk Assessment Guide and associated dashboard to inform Cabinet on the capacity of the hospital in response to Covid-19. - Approved the drafting of amendments to the National Insurance Ordinance to establishment of a temporary unemployment insurance scheme and a permanent unemployment insurance scheme to commence in 2022 in response to the economic fallout resulting from Covid-19 and the funding mechanism to support this. - Approved additional funding for urgent works to ongoing projects in the Capital Programme. - Discussed amendments to volume two of the Turks and Caicos Islands Guide to Protocol covering government supported funerals. - Approved the re-appointment of the Director of Social Development, chair Carol Skippings-Musgrove, members Marjorie Bassett, Wilbert Jennings, Wendy Robinson-Saunders and the
permanent secretaries in the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, the director of gender affairs and the attorney general or her representative as ex-officio members of the Adoption Committee for a period of one year with effect from May 31. - Approved amendments to the Children Care and Protection Ordinance 2020, making amendments to the Child Safeguarding Board and for these to be advanced to the House of Assembly. - Approved amendments to the jury ordinance in order to hold jury trials in a modified manner to ensure that jury trials are restarted and reduce a growing backlog of matters. - Approved the amendment of a previous decision with respect to the grant of a long-term lease of Crown Land Parcel 60804/134 for a period of 99 years to Amanda Missick for the development of a boutique hotel at the Bight, Providenciales to include Judith Simmons, a joint tenant. - Were updated on arrivals and departures since the reopening of the border to international travel, irregularities and agreed actions required. Members were also updated on the pre-arrival portal for visitors and returning residents and agreed on actions for consideration. - Were updated on the future involvement of UK military in support of disaster preparedness and development of the TCI Regiment.
Members were also updated on additional advisers who will be in support of various parts of the Government. - Were updated on the recent visit of HMS Medway to Grand Turk and Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson and governor’s visit on-board. Minutes for the 27th meeting of Cabinet were also issued by the Governor’s Office on August 1. Governor Nigel Dakin chaired the meeting on July 15 by videoconference. All members were present. At this meeting Cabinet: - Approved recommendations from the Ministry of Health in consultation with the Health and Environmental Health Board upon the reopening of the TCI’s international borders. - Approved a special dispensation under the Public and Environmental Health (control Measures (Covid-19) (Providenciales) (No.2) Regulations 2020 to permit social workers and gender officers to be considered as essential workers. - Were updated on planned works to HM Prison and the temporary prison facility on Grand Turk. - Were updated on work being carried out for taxi drivers on Providenciales in advance of the opening of borders on July 22. - Were updated on people currently detained and in prison. - Were updated on the status of the UK military deployed to TCI and their return to the UK.
14 NEWS
August 8-14, 2020
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Brain coral being treated with antibiotic applications by TCRF volunteers (photo by TCRF)
Experts ‘excited’ by early success in coral disease fight TCI now lending expertise to regional neighbours battling ‘world’s worst reef sickness’ BY GEMMA HANDY ENVIRONMENTALISTS battling the lethal disease ravaging the TCI’s world-famous reefs are reporting a 90 percent success rate in halting its spread on treated corals. But the TC Reef Fund (TCRF) which is leading the project
Brain coral one week post tretment
warns that a long delay in starting work – compounded by the coronavirus lockdown – has seen at least one iconic species become “functionally extinct” in the prized dive site of West Caicos. Still, TCRF chairman Don Stark says the NGO is “very excited” by the results so far from antibiotic applications.
The work has also seen dozens of volunteers trained to assist, while the findings are now being used to help regional neighbours in the fight against what is said to be the most virulent coral sickness the world has ever seen. Most infected coral heads have only required a single treatment – a mixture of amoxicillin trihydrate
and a specially formulated ointment – Stark told the Weekly News. “There appears to be close to a 90 percent effectiveness in stopping the progression of the disease in corals we have treated. “The affected parts will probably not recover but the goal is to protect what’s left of the healthy
tissue so it can reseed the reef,” he explained. Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) first appeared off the Floridian coast in 2014 and has since spread through much of the Caribbean archipelago. It affects more than 20 species
Brain coral eight weeks post treatment - no further disease
CONTINUED
August 8-14, 2020 CONTINUED
of important reef-building hard corals, often killing them within weeks of becoming infected. The ailment – believed to be caused by a bacterial pathogen – is characterised by its rapid-fire contagion and high mortality rate. Efforts to curtail its spread finally began in early February after a six-month wait for the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) to approve the TCRF’s application for a research permit. The Covid-19 lockdown saw the project suspended for an additional two months. Many coral species appear to be immune to the illness but among those it attacks are the large boulder varieties such as brain and star corals. “Those are important because they provide a lot of the vertical structure we see in our reefs, and also nooks and crannies for small juvenile fish and lobsters to hide in,” Stark said. The hardest hit area is West Caicos where just nine percent of the highly susceptible coral types are still healthy, he reported. “The disease is moving towards the east, with North West Point the next worst with around 30 percent of the most susceptible corals still healthy,” Stark explained. “Maze coral is now functionally extinct at West Caicos; if any are alive they’re so far apart that breeding is not going to happen,” he continued.
NEWS 15
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS “There are healthy brain corals there still but the loss of some is really disconcerting because they provide a lot of the 3D structure to the reef; without those the reef gets very flat and provides less habitat for marine life,” Stark said. Diving in some areas is “depressing”, although the NGO is “optimistic” that continued efforts will boost recovery. A WIDER REACH The group hopes to receive the goahead this week to expand its work, taking in waters of more diverse depths and a wider geographical area. SCTLD was first identified off South Caicos in January 2019 and quickly spread to West Caicos, Providenciales and Grand Turk. The capital island is particularly badly hit. TCRF’s Alizee Zimmermann is set to train a slew of volunteers there to help tackle it. “We have trained over 50 people in survey methodology and 10 in treatment protocols so far,” Stark said. “There’s been a lot of damage done but I think if we can get out there and keep doing what we’ve been doing, we can help save a large portion of the coral colonies.” To date, the organisation has ploughed $50,000 into fighting SCTLD and is poised to add another $30,000. It has also applied for a slew of grants to assist going forward. Stark hopes to secure a location and funding for a land-based initiative to grow susceptible coral
Maze coral is said to be “functionally extinct” at West Caicos (photo by TCRF)
species which would eventually be planted back onto the reef. Such work has seen success in other islands. Meanwhile, the TCRF is striving to assist surrounding nations battling the sickness. Zimmermann has created a series of training videos for volunteers in the Cayman Islands and Virgin Islands, among others. And video footage gathered during the TCRF’s operations is also being used to help regional bodies, including the Gulf and
Caribbean Fisheries Institute. What the future ultimately holds for infected reefs remains unclear but Stark is hopeful that continued diligent efforts will equate to longterm success. Local divers expressed mixed sentiments. Jayne Baker, of Flamingo Divers, said: “While I would say a good 90 percent of our brain coral at West Caicos has been devastated by this, we do see some specimens of brain coral that haven’t been touched.” Baker said she is encouraged
Coping in the Corona pandemic The deadly crisis has given way To a new normal at work and play The unfamiliar sights and sounds Have disturbed the old order of Our solid ground But we will not sit back carelessly And think all will go well In Corona’s Odyssey Let’s play our part rigorously Never behave frivolously And manage everything maturely! We wash our hand and faces too And sanitise to avoid Corona’s bruise Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue Then responsibly dispose to prevent any issues Avoid touching the nose and mouth A mask you should wear while in and out East, West, North and South Be careful how you travel about Seek medical help if you feel sick To mitigate Corona’s commanding whip! In this pandemic we will pull through Stay clear from developing a pessimistic view! Our aim is to send Corona back to its hole For it has captured many poor souls Black, white, young and old, Are no longer feeling secure or bold! Protect yourselves! Don’t ease up on the mask
Although this is a very mammoth task Many are resisting the protocol That will help them to overcome this interval Let’s adapt to the new measures And prevent the culprit from Destroying our Precious Treasures! Many grieving families have no clue Why they had to pay this enormous due Losing 600k global citizens It’s as though they were cast in prison Convicted for an offence of high treason Yes, we know it’s hard to understand Why we have to suffer on this land But remember, we are only frail humans In this season stay strong on your feet And be very, very discreet! Education has taken on a new shape It has become a source of much debate Teachers have to adhere to the changing rules And start employing new educational tools Students must brave up if they want to be great And continue to strive for excellence So they don’t deflate! The weight on the teachers now lagging The pressure on the students now tallying At this trying time of history, We must open the conversation To change the mode of education, “What’s with the hesitation?”
by the work underway, adding: “We are out there most days and thankfully our marine life, soft corals and sponges are still plentiful.” Philip Shearer, of Big Blue Collective, said the disease’s impact was “devastating”. “One of my all-time favourite pillar corals – 10 foot tall – died in a matter of weeks earlier this year. “With the warming ocean temps, it’s a gloomy forecast. Our reefs need serious protection from abuses,” he added.
By Maureen L Tucker Blue Hills, Providenciales
Our frontline workers must be commended For risking their lives to keep us all mended But without a doubt the medical services are overloaded And frontline personnel are confounded Supplies are limited while treatment is experimental This causes the workers to become sentimental Many of their patients are finding it difficult to rebound While others end up six feet under the ground Let’s pray for our frontline heroes who labour and toil So that they won’t be numbered in Corona’s coils. The world is in a very saddened state We feel afflicted and exposed as baits! Will we be taken in on fate? Never get frightened, I proclaim we will be around! Let’s pray, don’t retreat while the battle sound For hope and joy must be found Corona’s presence is painstaking But this too shall pass in the phasing Let’s pray for Turk Caicos ‘beautiful by nature’ For another life must not be fractured Remember our brothers and sisters across the globe They are searching for a cure to help us to cope The God who holds the world in his hands Knows the number of every grain of sand Will help us to triumph over Corona’s deadly reign So another tomorrow we will gain!
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
August 8-14, 2020
Government and Opposition squabble over drainage works DDME pleads with residents to properly dispose of refuse BY DELANA ISLES THE GOVERNMENT has defended itself against criticisms from the Opposition that they have failed to significantly address the drainage issues in Providenciales. Pointing to “failed” drainage systems put in place by the Progressive National Party (PNP) government, the PDM said that unlike their predecessors all roads built by them include proper drainage. This, they said, has significantly reduced the level of flooding in many flood prone areas. The arguments surrounding the drainage issue came on the heels of
Images and videos were posted on social media platforms of severely flooded areas, many of them in the Down Town region of the island
flooding in some low-lying areas of Providenciales following the passage of hurricane Isaias last Friday.
Images and videos were posted on social media platforms of severely flooded areas, many of them in the
Down Town region of the island. But while the two political parties squabbled over who did the best work when it comes to drainage, the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) stated that much of the island’s flooding is as a result of improperly disposed of refuse. This was revealed during the DDME Director Dr Virginia Clerveaux’s sit down with Drexwell Seymour on his radio and online talk show on July 28. During the programme Dr Clerveaux urged the public to properly dispose of their garbage. She said that while drains in many communities were cleared in anticipation of the hurricane season, residents have a role to play in ensuring they remain clean. “This tends to be an issue, clogging the drains affects flooding, we often find a lot of silt in the drains, this also leads to flooding. “The place will flood, we know this, but there are steps that we can take to ensure that we protect our lives, our families and our properties.” Some of these flood-prone areas include Blue Hills, Five Cays, Downtown, Kew Town, Grace Bay, Leeward and Long Bay on Providenciales. On Grand Turk areas include Waterloo, Palm Grove, West Road, Cockburn Town, Back Salina, Over Back and North Creek, and in South Caicos, the DDME Director said that Airport Road and Old Airport Road are the ones most affected. Additionally, in North Caicos affected areas include Kew, Whitby, Sandy Point, Bottle Creek, whole in Salt Cay the north and the south district are prone to flooding. Dr Clerveaux urged residents in these low-lying communities to properly prepare themselves for flooding as the territory is in the peak of the hurricane season. BACK AND FORTH To back up their position that they have fulfilled their campaign promise of providing the island with a proper drainage, the PDM released a report on the progress of its comprehensive drainage programme promise to their official Facebook page. Conceding that the Downtown area was severely flooded during last week’s storm, the party stated this is due to the area being more populated than other parts of Providenciales. “Because of this fact in the Downtown area of Providenciales we have installed numerous new wells and a drainage basin close
to the pump house at Old Aviation Drive and AV Butterfield Drive popularly known as the Five Cays Bypass,” the party said. It stated that since coming into office, the PDM has funded regular maintenance of the pump house, installed several new drainage wells in the Kew Town and at Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex. It has also made massive investments along Leeward Highway and in Turtle Cove to keep these areas properly drained after a storm or hurricane. Other new investments include the roadworks and enhanced drainage around Providenciales International Airport. The PDM lashed out at the Opposition, stating that when the PNP was in power, after the passage of a storm several areas were impassable, namely Leeward Highway, Glass Shack and South Dock Road. The governing party stated that under their leadership, these areas are now cleared in record time. In response to the Government’s drainage report, the PNP - in a press statement - pointed out that many of the initiatives taken to enhance the drainage systems in Providenciales were set in motion by the then PNP government. “What the PDM Government has failed to do is to inform the people that it is the recommendations and plans left in place by the former PNP government, that they are now using to address the current flooding and road issues.” The Opposition stated that it was under their leadership that roads in Glass Shack as well as several wells throughout Providenciales were constructed to assist with flooding. In addition, the party said, it was former premier Rufus Ewing and Hon. Amanda Missick who commissioned the Dillon Consultant Report. This outlined recommendations on how to remedy the drainage and flooding issues throughout the territory and was paid for by the PNP government and the Caribbean Development Bank. “We congratulate the PDM for the paving of roads in Five Cays, however the major and most important road work, the Five Cays bypass road and the road continuing into South Dock, is still in a deplorable state and needs urgent attention.” The PNP called on the Government to be honest and tell the public, particularly the residents of Kew Town, why the plans that were left in place by the former PNP government to address the road and flooding issues in that community, were never carried out.
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
THE SALT CAY NOTE
A rainbow over the beautiful secluded island of Salt Cay
There must be 50 ways to write a column I
One year of writing The Salt Cay Note
had no idea where this journey would take me. Last August the first Salt Cay Note was published, entitled, ‘A column dedicated to - Salt Cay?’ The first paragraph really summed up my expectations (or lack thereof) at the time. “You’re going to write a column about what?” asked a seemingly dumbfounded UK editor friend when I told him of my plan to write a weekly column about Salt Cay, affectionately referred to as ‘The island that time forgot’. “What on Earth will you write about week after week?” I really can’t blame the man for his befuddled reaction. To an outsider it may seem somewhat of a puzzle to find enough material to write about. After all this is a 2.5 square mile island with a permanent population of 50 to 60 people and 200 plus donkeys and cows. So here we are, one year, 50 columns and approximately 35,000 words later and it all seems a bit surreal. In August 2019, the world was still ‘normal’ and while it’s only been a year, in many ways it’s seems a lifetime ago. People around the globe could and would, more or less, travel at a moment’s notice, go to the theatre, frequent cinemas, restaurants, music festivals, etc. Pandemics and epidemics were something you read about in history books or that affected counties in seemingly faraway lands where, thanks to international collaboration, they kept them in check. As far a Salt Cay was concerned, the major subjects of conversation in the latter half of 2019,
BY TITUS DE BOER
Titus was born in Hamburg and has lived in the Turks and Caicos Islands since 1989. He works as a general business consultant and has been based in Salt Cay since 2016.
and subsequently many of my columns, were the airport redevelopment, the repair of the sea wall and a proposal to develop a cruise ship port. Add to this the odd piece about whale watching, farming, a gubernatorial visit and several biographical portraits of the island’s personalities and it quickly turned out that there was plenty to write about to pique the reader’s interest. I happened to meet one such reader last week when I found myself sitting outside the Immigration Department in Grand Turk. In order to comply with social distancing measures the public sit properly masked under a marquee tent outside the customer service office
and patiently wait their turn. As I am sitting there a young man turns to me and says: “Hey, aren’t you the guy who writes the Salt Cay stories?” He’s in his late 20s and it turns out he’s a regular reader. “Isn’t it strange,” he says, “how our view of the different islands in the TCI has changed. “Until this Covid-19 thing came along, Provo was this really cool place where we’d all want to party, Grand Turk was okay and Salt Cay was seen as being really, really quiet and laid back with nothing going on. “Well,” he concludes, “Salt Cay may still be really, really quiet and laid back with nothing going on but that’s now viewed as really cool and desirable!” I see his point and we both have a good chuckle over it, as I thank him for reading. One of the great joys of writing The Salt Cay Note has been the feedback from its readers. Be it in one to one conversation, both on Salt Cay but also Grand Turk, via WhatsApp, email, or phone calls. The suggestions, reactions, ideas, and yes, even the constructive criticism have been both heartwarming and truly educational for me. “How often misused words generate misleading thoughts,” Herbert Spencer observed. Words matter, especially in times of ‘fake news’. And while I remind readers from time to time that this column is an opinion piece and not the reporting of cold, hard facts; I have throughout this journey, tried to tell the story, this Salt Cay story, as fairly and as accurately as possible. Here’s to the year of The Salt Cay Note.
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If that forecast holds, 2020 would have the second most number of storms in any season.
August 8-14, 2020
Officials said that the recent surge of cases has started to strain the country’s health care system, with ICU beds already full at the Princess Margaret Hospital
Colorado State University raises 2020 Atlantic Bahamas Covid-19 cases Hurricane Season forecast to 24 named storms continue to rise, now over 750 THE 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, already busy through early August, could be one of the most active on record, according to an outlook released Wednesday by Colorado State University. The CSU outlook calls for 24 named storms, 12 of which are expected to become hurricanes, and five of those hurricanes becoming major hurricanes – Category 3 or higher (115-plus-mph winds) on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. This forecast is almost double the 30-year (1981-2010) average of 13 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes and is four storms, three hurricanes and one major hurricane more than its last outlook issued in early July.
If that forecast holds, 2020 would have the second most number of storms in any season, just behind 2005’s 28 storms. It would also tie both 1969 and 2010 for the second most hurricanes in any season, again trailing only 2005’s 15 hurricanes. CSU’s outlook includes the nine named storms and two hurricanes that have already formed, so they expect another 15 named storms to form through the end of the hurricane season. If this were to happen, it would use up the entire list of 2020 tropical storm and hurricane names and require use of the Greek alphabet for the remaining named storms. That’s only happened once before in the record-smashing 2005 hurricane season.
During the record-breaking 2005 season, CSU’s August forecast predicted 20 named storms, 10 hurricanes and 6 major hurricanes. Here are the factors CSU and other seasonal forecasters are keying on for a very active season. TRENDING TOWARD LA NIÑA El Niño/La Niña, the periodic warming/cooling of the equatorial eastern and central Pacific Ocean, can shift weather patterns over a period of months. Its status is always one factor that’s considered in hurricane season forecasting. ENSO conditions are expected to remain either neutral – neither El Niño nor La Niña – or trend toward La Niña by fall.
NEW Providence and Grand Bahama continue to dominate the Covid-19 push in neighbouring Bahamas, with both islands having recorded well over 300 cases. The rise has pushed the Bahamas’ overall cases to 751 as of Wednesday evening (August 5). Of the lot, 644 were deemed as active cases, with 91 recoveries, 14 Covid-19 deaths and two nonCovid-19 related deaths. STEEP RISE Within the last two weeks, cases have skyrocketed. Our neighbours had reached 219 cases on July 22. By last Wednesday, July 29, the cases had more than doubled to 484, now it has risen furthered with an
additional 36 on August 5, which has forced a national lockdown. According to information from the Bahamas Health Department, of those cases, 30 were from New Providence and six from Grand Bahama. The spike in New Providence, the Bahamas’ most populated island, has pushed their cases to 342 and Grand Bahama to 336. Up to press time, none of the other islands had reached 40 cases. Bimini cases have risen by 11 to 32. Moore’s Islands has risen by a single case to 10, Berry Islands by three cases to nine and Cat Cay by two to six. Great Guana Cay (9), Cat Islands (3), Exuma (3) and Abaco (1) were stagnant over the last week.
Haiti could face a ‘perfect storm’ with the pandemic As Covid-19 continues to ravage many parts of the world, the effect of the virus in Latin America and the Caribbean region has been particularly devastating. The situation in Haiti, for example, has alarmed international humanitarian groups, as the country lacks sufficient virus-testing ability and has limited health-care infrastructure, among other serious problems. On top of these deficiencies in combating the pandemic, Haitian migrants returning from neighboring countries like the Dominican Republic are believed to be spreading the virus significantly. Michael Ryan, the World Health Organization’s executive director for health emergencies, said of Haiti, “We are very concerned about Haiti at the moment because of its unique circumstances, unique
At a clinic at La Fossette Health Center in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, nurses vaccinate babies, among other health care services.
fragility and the fact that the disease is accelerating in a highly vulnerable population.”
Haiti has been struggling to recover ever since the 2010 earthquake that killed more than
220,000 people and injured 300,000 others. The country has relied on international aid to provide hospital services and food for decades. With the coronavirus outbreak, Haitians are more likely to face difficulty securing even these basic necessities. Dr. Carissa Etienne, director of the Pan American Health Organization, has warned that spread of the virus could result in famine. “The situation has been described as a perfect storm approaching,” she said. (More literally, a busy Atlantic Ocean hurricane season has been predicted for 2020, creating more challenges for the region.) The United Nations fields 19 agencies in Haiti, having closed the 13-year stabilisation mission (Minustah) in 2017 to transition to a smaller operation designed to help the government improve rule-of-
law institutions, further develop the Haitian national police and enhance human-rights work. Haiti only recently recovered from a nine-year cholera outbreak that killed 9,792 and sickened 820,000 people. The UN acknowledged in 2016 that its peacekeeping mission played a major role in the outbreak and has provided some assistance to Haiti to combat the disease, but it continues to deny legal liability. The Boston-based Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH) has fought for the UN to admit fault and compensate victims of the cholera outbreak. The institute, a nonprofit partnership of Haitian and US human-rights advocates, supports Haitians’ efforts overall “for a just system of law, a society without violence, social justice and a democratic government.” (Passblue)
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Guyana’s new president names relatively young cabinet THREE days after he was sworn in, Guyana’s new president, Irfaan Ali, has named his cabinet. The opposition candidate opted for a few seasoned politicians from his People’s Progressive Party (PPP), including former president Bharrat Jadgeo, whom he named as Vice President, whilst he also included a number of young party members in their 30s and 40s. On Wednesday, Ali, 40, charged his 19 ministers to be results oriented, transparent and to work for all Guyanese. The country, which is on the verge of becoming oil rich, has two main political parties, and neither trust the other. Indo-Guyanese mostly support the PPP and Afro-Guyanese prefer the APNU. WHY THE ELECTION RESULTS TOOK SO LONG The controversial March 2 elections in the South American nation, took exactly five months before a winner was declared on Sunday last. Both the then government coalition APNU/AFC and the opposition PPP had claimed victory; it took a recount and several court cases before the process was completed. During that time, regional bodies the Organisation of American States (OAS) and CARICOM along with the likes of the US, UK, Canada and the EU had called for a swift completion of the process. The US then imposed visa
President Irfaan Ali (fifth from left in front row) and Prime Minister Mark Phillips (sixth from left in front row) with the new ministers. (Stabroek News photo)
sanctions on members of the APNU/ AFC, whom they claimed were “undermining democracy”. LENGTHY PROCESS On the night of the election, the voting stations around the country completed their counting and passed on the information to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), each of the respective parties polling agents were also given copies of the results (called Statements of Polls). Hence, by the end of the night both main parties would have done their own calculation. In the days that followed the elections, the official tabulation
of the results had gone relatively smooth, until the largest region, Region Four, which includes the capital Georgetown, was verified. GECOM’s Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo had opted to shy away from using the Statement of Polls and instead used an unverified spreadsheet, which claimed that APNU/AFC had won; this caused an uproar by the other politicians and their supporters. After some time, a CARICOM high-level team brought then president, David Granger, and leader of the opposition, Jagdeo, together and they both agreed to have a recount of all the votes, which were
locked away in sealed ballot boxes. Despite the pandemic, a team from CARICOM was on hand to witness the month-long recount from May 6. During that time, the ruling party claimed that the election process was tainted and that PPP had used dead and migrant voters. According to the recount results however, PPP had won by over 15000 votes. It also found that the region four results of Mingo on March 13 had inflated APNU/AFC votes by 19,116 and reduced PPP votes by 3,689. Nevertheless, APNU/AFC continue to push for “valid votes only”, which resulted in them heading
to court. Meanwhile CARICOM had stated that the recount results could declare a winner. That however was not done and CEO of GECOM Keith Lowenfield took it upon himself to invalidate 115, 000 of the 464,563 votes. This calculation again handed APNU/ AFC a victory. The US threatened sanctions while CARICOM chair Mia Mottley criticised the CEO. During that time, PPP went to the country’s highest court, the Caribbean Court of Justice to overrule a decision made by local court, Guyana’s Court of Appeal. CCJ ruled in favour of Ali and Jagdeo and in the process invalidated Lowenfield’s numbers. While the US had announced visa sanctions, court cases were still playing out, but both the Acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire and a unanimous decision by the Court of Appeal (second case) had stated that the recount results must be used to declare a winner. On Sunday, former president Granger noted that his party would file a petition at an elections court on their fraud claims. Lowenfield then returned with the recount numbers and chairperson Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh declared that Ali had won the elections. Three hours after, Ali was sworn in. Up to press time, on Thursday morning, APNU/AFC had not filed an election petition.
Bahamas on two-week or more lockdown BAHAMIAN Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis this week announced a national lockdown for the entire Bahamas in their ongoing fight against COVID-19. The lockdown, which started on Tuesday evening, was announced the night prior. According to Minnis, the lockdown might be extended, depending on the results after this initial period. As of Wednesday, the Bahamas had 751 cases of Covid-19 with New Providence and Grand Bahama leading the way. An assessment was also expected to be made on Friday to determine if an extension to Grand Bahama’s lockdown was necessary. DURING THE LOCKDOWN: The following essential items will be available during Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 7am to 5pm for the general public, and again on Saturday from 7am to 1pm for essential workers. These include: Food stores, Water depots, Pharmacies from curbside or takeaway windows only; and Gas stations
for external services only. Food stores and pharmacies are encouraged to offer, and the public is encouraged to utilise, delivery services as much as possible. All households are asked to identify one person to be the designated shopper for each of the essential services. This will be monitored, as well as the number of individuals travelling in vehicles. All businesses and offices will be required to suspend operations, with limited exceptions, and to have their staff work remotely where this is possible. – Such exceptions include: Commercial banks will be permitted, but will include restricted hours of operation to the public until 13:00h on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; Accommodation will be made for international banks, trust companies and financial institutions to have a skeleton team in office on the same days; Construction will be permitted to continue, having regard to the fact that we are in hurricane season; this will be permitted Monday through
Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis made the announcement on Monday evening.
Friday, 7am to 5pm, and Saturday 7am to 1pm; However, hardware stores will only be permitted to provide curbside services on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 7am to 5pm.
Private medical facilities will be permitted to provide emergency medical care and immunisation services only, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All routine services are to be suspended.
Home healthcare takers, certified by the Ministry of Health, will be permitted to carry out their important services. Essential commercial ports will be permitted to carry out their respective services; Caretakers will be permitted to maintain crops and animals; There will be no curbside and takeaway dining or retail, other than as mentioned for hardware stores; The Secretary to the Cabinet and permanent secretaries will give instructions to Public Officers. Live streaming from a religious facility will continue to be permitted during the lockdown, with no more than 10 people at the facility, to accommodate virtual services. Families will be permitted to lay to rest their loved ones. Funeral services will continue to be permitted at the graveside only, with no more than five attendees, excluding the officiant and the mortuary staff. People will be permitted to exercise in their immediate neighbourhood during this period from 6am to 9am. (Tribune242)
20 NEWS
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The rich are still buying luxury homes, Sotheby’s report reveals BY DELANA ISLES THE TURKS and Caicos Islands luxury real estate market is no worse for wear, even as the majority of the economy is suffering from the effects of the Covid-19 global pandemic. The latest quarterly reports from TCI Sotheby’s International Realty and The Agency indicate that early projections of the territory’s industry surviving better than most, have been borne out. A significant reason for this is the Government’s stimulus to the industry - a 50 percent reduction in stamp duty. “We would be remiss if we failed to mention that the Turks and Caicos Government’s stimulus of providing a 50 percent reduction in stamp duty through June 30 was highly effective,” the Sotheby’s report outlined. The company added that the TCI’s market has backed up prior assertions that it is stronger and fundamentally healthier. There are several reasons for this, Sotheby’s stated: “First, we do not have an oversupply of inventory; second, we have very few speculators in the market; third, our debt to equity ratio is very low; fourth, throughout North America and beyond, there has been a Covid-19 surge to quality, open space and ‘safe’ havens, and TCI checks all of these boxes. “Finally, and most importantly, we continue to work diligently to communicate and serve our clients and customers.”
The latest quarterly reports from TCI Sotheby’s International Realty and The Agency indicate that early projections of the territory’s industry surviving better than most
It said that from its regular virtual internal team meetings to participation in industry Zoom conferences and virtual showings with customers and clients across the globe, the company has managed to place quality communication at the forefront. All of these variables have led to the real estate industry recording an increase in the second half of 2020 over the same period in 2019. “Unlike the aftermath of the financial crisis of September 2009, where we had weak fundamentals and luxury buyers disappeared, the opposite has occurred, with luxury
and other buyers remaining in the game and continuing to shop and purchase real estate.” Reports from Sotheby’s International Realty network have echoed similar strengths and trends in the US and Canada, and many countries internationally. “In this regard, our market demand has shown much greater resilience and further, there has not been a flight to list property.” INNOVATION IN SALES According to the Sotheby’s report, the answers as to how people are still buying in this climate exist
in the various applications of technology available to them. “Consumers are searching Google for virtual reality tours like never before, as evidenced by a 101 percent increase in video viewership on sothebysrealty. com and a 137 percent increase in video viewership on our Sotheby’s International Realty YouTube channel and increased activity with our third-party website partners like The New York Times and Mansion Global.” In recent weeks, virtual buying became quite popular, indicating that Covid-19 has now forever changed
the real estate industry in this regard. “While more and more buyers will continue to shop online, the use of more effective virtual showings can shrink the timeline for purchase and greatly educate buyers so that they can either make a purchase decision remotely or are primed to purchase with fewer physical showings required. “This is happening all over the Sotheby’s International Realty network, from the Hamptons and Connecticut, Miami and the Caribbean, to renowned ski towns across America. “This is great news for our industry and this trend will lead to greater sales and reduced days on market,” the report read. It added that the second quarter marked significant sales including the listing and sale of Bajacu listed at $18.8 million, Dream Big Villa at $5.75 million, Cerulean at $4.8 million, and the sale of a Leeward beach parcel at $8.5 million, along with a wider range of stand-alone villas, managed villas, condos (where inventory remains tight), commercial property and land. The report also indicated that the second quarter of 2020 continues on the same level as the past few years with single family homes carrying the sales volume once again and the other sectors holding steady. “Construction is forging ahead on the new developments as well as various other projects. “With $191 million in pending deals to close out, close to 50 percent of this volume is currently under construction.”
Recruitment opens for 40 local reserve marines this September BY DELANA ISLES THE TURKS and Caicos Islands is well on its way to establishing its own military force, joining four other British overseas territories. The Royal Bermuda Regiment, Falkland Islands Defence Force, Royal Gibraltar Regiment and the Royal Montserrat Defence Force are all locally raised units for home defence and security. Commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ennis Grant, who was appointed in June to head the local military force, is now working with the Royal Marines and the Government to finalise the selection of its officers and senior non-commissioned officers. During a press briefing on Monday, July 27, Governor Nigel Dakin said that following these appointments, three
will go to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in September for training. “They will, I know, do TCI proud. We intend to build this regiment to be excellent,” the governor told the press. Also in September, the Government will be inviting applications from qualified persons to become what the governor terms the “regiment’s teeth”. These will be reserve marines, 40 in total, and will be employed operationally in 2021. “If you want to serve TCI, if you want excitement and camaraderie, keep this future opportunity in mind. “You can start to prepare now – get yourself as fit as you can. Build your speed, build your stamina, learn to do pull-ups, as many as you can, smash out those press-ups and see how many sit-ups you can do and then keep improving.
“This is going to be a regiment of marines that can get the job done,” the governor said of the coming recruitment drive. Over the past several months there has been a very strong military presence in the territory to assist with its Covid-19 response as well as the annual hurricane preparations. During last Monday’s press conference the governor was asked to respond to criticisms that he and the UK are seeking to militarise the TCI - first with the establishment of its own defence force and with the presence of so many UK officers. Dakin responded: “Militarise is a strong word, I don’t think we have militarised. What we did is we brought in expertise, capacity and capability.” The governor said those officers are here to boost the capacity of the TCI -
particularly in areas where the TCI is in dire need of assistance, namely border protection and healthcare. Addressing questions about the two Royal Marine officers who were suspended after breaking curfew and getting into an accident, Governor Dakin said the two have been sent home to the United Kingdom where they will be dealt with. Governor Dakin stated: “They were investigated jointly by the military police and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. “They are now back in the UK and will face charges in the UK, most certainly a court martial. “The penalty that drinking and driving carries in a court martial is of a completely different order to the sort of penalty they would receive in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
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ENTERTAINMENT
Campbell replaced his brother Ali as UB40’s lead singer in 2008.v
UB40 singer Duncan Campbell ‘up and about’ after suffering stroke DUNCAN Campbell, current lead singer of reggae band UB40, is recovering in hospital after suffering a stroke. In a statement, the Birmingham-based band said
he was “already up and about” and asked fans for privacy during his recuperation. The band said they hoped he would make “a strong and speedy recovery” and that they would be
back touring next year. Campbell, a former professional spoon player, became lead singer of UB40 when his brother Ali left the group in 2008.
Ali Campbell has since toured as part of the breakaway group UB40 Featuring Ali, Astro & Mickey. UB40 formed in Birmingham in 1978, naming themselves after a form used by people to claim unemployment benefits at the time. The band produced such hits as Red Red Wine, Falling In Love With You and their cover of I Got You Babe featuring Chrissie Hynde. UB40’s current line-up includes Duncan Campbell, 62, and the third Campbell brother, Robin.
This cover image for “Folklore,” the eighth studio album by Taylor Swift.
Swift earns her seventh No. 1 album with ‘Folklore’ behind impressive debut week TAYLOR Swift once again enjoyed swift success with her latest album release. “Folklore,” which came out July 24, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the pop superstar’s seventh consecutive album to reach the top spot. The numbers for “Folklore” are impressive. In its first week, “Folklore” sold 846,000 equivalent album units in the United States, giving Swift her sixth album to hit the 800,000
plateau in its debut week. “Folklore” enjoyed the biggest debut week for an album by any artist since Swift’s last one, “Lover,” which came out in August 2019. Globally, “Folklore” has already recorded more than 2 million sales to make it the best-selling album of 2020. Swift shocked the world by keeping “Folklore” a total secret until the day before its release.
NOTICE REGULATION 8 OF THE PHYSICAL PLANNING (DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION) REGULATIONS, 2014 An Application, REGISTERED PR 14943, by BBF Cooper Jack Ltd. for the development of Beach Creation and Stabilization Works, 150 ft. Pier and Dredging. Has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Outline Development Permission on parcels 60721/85 – 99, 60720/93 & 100, Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill, Providenciales. Anyone wishing to make representation(s) may do so in writing to the Director of Planning, South Base, Grand Turk or through the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, within twenty-eight (28) days of publication of this Notice. Date: July 24th, 2020 14943
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ENTERTAINMENT
Haddish calls relationship with Common, ‘the best she’s ever been in’ THERE’S nothing common about this star-powered relationship. Tiffany Haddish confirmed she’s dating Common during a recent interview for Steve-O’s “Wild Ride” podcast. “This is, hands down, the best relationship I have ever been in,” Haddish said. Haddish, 40, said she and the musician-actor met while working together on the 2019 movie “The Kitchen,” but did not begin dating until this year. They played love interests in the drama. “We became friends, but it wasn’t anything sexual or anything like that because my eyes were set on something else,” she told Steve-O, who is known for the “Jackass” series and movies. The comedian said she began
Common and Tiffany Haddish in 2018 in West Hollywood.
dating guys through the Bumble app last year, but remained close friends with Common after production wrapped on their film. Earlier this year, Haddish suggested doing charity work
through the Bumble app with Common, she explained, before they started dating recently. She said she’s happy knowing that she has someone in her life who has her back and “cares about me.”
Police killed Breonna Taylor in her own home in March.
Oprah Winfrey wants to be marching in honour of Breonna Taylor OPRAH Winfrey turned over the cover of her namesake magazine for the first time in its 20-year history to pay tribute to Breonna Taylor, who was killed in her own home by police in March. Winfrey revealed the cover on social media. “We can’t be silent,” she wrote in an editor’s letter, “We have to use whatever megaphone we have to cry for justice. And that is why Breonna Taylor is on the cover of O magazine. The September issue
DONALD KNOWLES
Back Salina Grand Turk
LABOURER
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
CONTACT: 245 64 39
Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder.
1994
honors her life and the life of every other Black woman whose life has been taken too soon.” In a statement to CNN, Winfrey said that if not for the coronavirus pandemic, she would be out marching in Taylor’s honour. “If not for COVID, I would be marching in the streets in this moment,” she said, adding, “This is my form of protest and a way to honor a life that deserved a chance to flourish.” Winfrey said she will continue her fight until those responsible for Taylor’s death are prosecuted. “It is my hope that if we continue to say her name, write her name, and let no one forget her life, the people who are responsible for killing her and those who remain complicit by doing nothing shall be brought to justice,” she said. Last Thursday Winfrey premiered “The Oprah Conversation,” exclusively on Apple TV+. The show will focus on “bringing truth and perspective to a range of topics shaping our world, each episode will reveal gripping stories of human connection,” according to a release. (CNN)
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Science & Technology
Dogs process speech in the same way as human brains do, study finds DESPITE not being able to talk, dogs process speech in the same way as humans do, according to a new study. Both dogs and human brains separately process the intonation – how a voice rises and falls – and the meaning of the words spoken. Hungarian researchers used functional MRI – measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow – on awake dogs. They found dogs process intonation mostly in the brain’s lower subcortical regions, and recognised the actual meaning of words in cortical regions, like humans. Exploring speech processing similarities and differences between dog and human brains can help a lot in understanding the steps that led to the emergence of speech during evolution,’ said study author Anna Gábor at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary. ‘Some years ago, we discovered that dog brains, just as human brains, separate intonation and word meaning – but is the hierarchy also similar? ‘To find out, we used a special technique this time – we measured how dog brain activity decreases to repeatedly played stimuli.’ Dogs are well-known to
Both dogs and human brains separately process the intonation – how a voice rises and falls – and the meaning of the words spoken.
have a sensitivity to human communicative signs, including vocal signals. Both intonation and the meaning, or lexicality, of the words carry information for our canine companions. When we praise dogs with a high toned voice, they may notice the positive intent and appear happy. Dogs can respond to various
words and phases, such as sit, lie down, play dead, wait or heel – but it’s not just the intonation that carry their meaning. Many dogs still recognise the word or phase and respond in turn even if we’ve changed the intonation. However, researchers have known very little about on what is going on in doggy brains during these interactions.
Hungarian researchers measured the awake, cooperative dogs’ brain activity via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Dogs listened to familiar praise words or phrases – ‘clever’, ‘well done’, ‘that’s it’ – and unknown, neutral terms – ‘such’, ‘as if’, ‘yet’ – both in praising and neutral intonation. ‘During brain scanning, sometimes we repeated words, sometimes intonations,’ said Gábor. ‘Stronger decrease in a given brain region to certain repetitions shows the region’s involvement.’ The results show that dog brains, just like human brains, process speech hierarchically – intonation at lower stages, mostly in subcortical regions, while known words are processed at higher stages, in cortical regions. Repeating the same intonation led to activity decreases, mostly in ancient subcortical brain regions. While repeating known words led to activity decreases in higherstage auditory cortical brain regions. Simpler, emotionally loaded cues, such as intonation, are typically analysed at lower stages, while more complex, learnt cues, such as word meaning, are analysed at higher stages in multiple species,
including humans. Interestingly, older dogs distinguished words less than the younger dogs in the study. ‘Although speech processing in humans is unique in many aspects, this study revealed exciting similarities between us and a speechless species,’ said study author Attila Andics at Eötvös Loránd University. ‘The similarity does not imply, however, that this hierarchy evolved for speech processing. ‘Instead, the hierarchy following intonation and word meaning processing reported here and also in humans may reflect a more general, not speech-specific processing principle. ‘What our results really shed light on is that human speech processing may also follow this more basic, more general hierarchy.’ The research team previously found that dogs separately analyse lexical and intonational cues to decipher meaning, published in Science in 2016. Doggy methods to separately analyse and integrate word meaning and intonation suggest that this capacity can evolve in the absence of language, the team said. This new study has been published in Scientific Reports. (Daily Mail.co.uk)
Coronavirus: Russia plans mass vaccination campaign in October RUSSIAN health authorities are preparing to start a mass vaccination campaign against coronavirus in October, the health minister has said. Russian media quoted Mikhail Murashko as saying that doctors and teachers would be the first to receive the vaccine. Reuters, citing anonymous sources, said Russia’s first potential vaccine would be approved by regulators this month. However, some experts are concerned at Russia’s fast-track approach. On Friday, the leading infectious disease expert in the US, Dr Anthony Fauci, said he hoped that Russia - and China - were “actually testing the vaccine” before
administering them to anyone. Dr Fauci has said that the US should have a “safe and effective” vaccine by the end of this year. “I do not believe that there will be vaccines so far ahead of us that we will have to depend on other countries to get us vaccines,” he told US lawmakers. Scores of possible coronavirus vaccines are being developed around the world and more than 20 are currently in clinical trials. Mr Murashko, quoted by Interfax news agency, said that the Gamaleya Institute, a research facility in Moscow, had finished clinical trials of a vaccine and that paperwork was being prepared to register it. “We plan wider vaccinations
for October,” he said, adding that teachers and doctors would be the first to receive it. Last month, Russian scientists said that early-stage trials of an adenovirus-based vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Institute had been completed and that the results were a success. Last month the UK, US and Canada security services said a Russian hacking group had targeted various organisations involved in Covid-19 vaccine development, with the likely intention of stealing information. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said it was more than 95% certain that the group called APT29 - also known as The Dukes or Cozy Bear - was part of
More than 100 possible coronavirus vaccines are being developed around the world.
Russian intelligence services. Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, rejected the accusation, telling the BBC that there was “no sense in it”. In the UK, trials of a vaccine
developed by Oxford University have shown that it can trigger an immune response and a deal has been signed with AstraZeneca to supply 100 million doses in Britain alone. (BBC)
26
World News
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
August 8-14, 2020
Fauci’s family bombarded by death threats, maintaining security team ANTHONY Fauci is practicing a little preventative maintenance on himself. The White House COVID-19 pointman stated on Wednesday that he and his family have not only have been bombarded by death threats but that they need security experts to stay safe. “The unseemly things that crises bring out in the world; it brings out the best of people and the worst of people,” the 79-year-old doctor told CNN correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta regarding fringe individuals furious about his coronavirus guidance. “And getting death threats to my family and harassing my daughters to the point where I have to get security — it’s amazing.” Fauci, who for 36 years has served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has had a security team since April. “I wouldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams that people who object to things that are pure public health principles are so set against it and don’t like what you and I say, namely in the world of science,” explained Fauci. “And they actually threaten you. I mean, that to me is just strange.” Safety guidelines such as social distancing, limiting crowd attendees
Nationwide, almost 5,000 medical institutions and 38,000 technicians were on hand to carry out the mass testing blitz.
China ramps up Covid-19 testing to 4.8 million per day Dr. Anthony Fauci claims he and his family have required armed protection amid a torrent death threats.
and wearing face masks to quell the infection spread has drawn the wrath of some Americans who believe the government has no right to mandate them. “I think it’s not just related to science, it’s almost related to authority and a mistrust in authority that spills over because in some respects, scientists — because
they’re trying to present data — may be looked at ... as being an authoritative figure,” said Fauci. As of Wednesday evening, the confirmed U.S. death toll topped 157,000 victims, according to health tracker tracker Johns Hopkins University. In total, more than 4.8 million national COVID-19 cases have been reported. (NYDailynews)
CHINA reported 37 new symptomatic Covid-19 cases and 20 new asymptomatic cases on Thursday, according to the National Health Commission. The NHC counts symptomatic and asymptomatic positive cases in separate tallies. There were no new deaths recorded. That raises China’s total to 88,328 confirmed cases and 4,677 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Stepping up testing: China ramped up its testing in recent
weeks, reaching 4.84 million tests conducted each day by the end of July, said Wang Jiangping, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Nationwide, almost 5,000 medical institutions and 38,000 technicians were on hand to carry out the mass testing blitz. “A total of nearly 200 million copies of testing kits have been distributed to hospitals, disease control centers, customs ports, and third-party testing agencies across the country,” Wang said. (CNN)
Coronavirus: Safety concerns halt use of 50 million NHS masks FIFTY million face masks bought by the government in April will not be used in the NHS because of safety concerns. The government says the masks, which use ear-loop fastenings rather than head loops, may not fit tightly enough. They were bought for healthcare workers from supplier Ayanda Capital as part of a £252m contract. Ayanda says the masks met the specifications the government had set out. The government says its safety standards process is “robust”. It has emerged that the person who originally approached the government about the deal was a government trade adviser who also advises the board of Ayanda. But he told the BBC his position played no part in the awarding of the contract. Calling for a National Audit Office investigation into the government’s “mishandling of PPE procurement”,
FFP2 respirator masks such as these are used by healthcare workers.
Labour MP Rachel Reeves said: “The latest PPE scandal cannot be swept under the carpet.” In the early weeks of the pandemic the NHS experienced severe shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE).
The government says it had to find new suppliers quickly to meet demand and to compete with rising global competition. On 29 April the Department of Health and Social Care signed the £252m contract with Ayanda Capital
Limited to supply two types of face masks. The most expensive part of the order consisted of 50 million FFP2 respirator masks, which are designed to protect healthcare workers from inhaling harmful particles. According to legal papers seen by the BBC, the government says these masks will now not be used in the NHS because of a safety issue. The document says that there is concern about whether they would fit adequately. To be effective these types of face mask need to fit tightly to create a seal between the mask and the wearer’s face. Anyone who wears them for work is required to undergo a face fit test. “The face fit is either a pass or a fail and there are more fails on products with ear loops than there are on products with head harnesses,” says Alan Murray, chief executive of the British Safety Industry Federation.
“That means that it wouldn’t necessarily provide the protection that was required from it.” It is not clear what will happen now to the 50 million masks. Ayanda Capital also supplied 150 million Type IIR masks, which the government says are unaffected. Most have now been delivered but they have not yet been released for use in the NHS and are awaiting further testing. ‘STAGGERING’ AMOUNTS SPENT The information was disclosed in a legal response to the Good Law Project, which is seeking to challenge the government in the courts over three PPE contracts it awarded, including Ayanda Capital’s. The campaign group argues the government’s awarding of contracts directly to companies during the pandemic, rather than opening them to competition, may have been unlawful.
August 8-14, 2020
World News
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
27
Tons of dangerous ammonium nitrate were stranded in Beirut port for years AS Lebanon’s investigation into the devastating blast in Beirut continues, officials have pointed to a possible cause: A massive shipment of agricultural fertilizer that authorities say was stored in the port of Beirut without safety precautions for years -- despite warnings by local officials. Documents newly reviewed by CNN reveal that a shipment of 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate arrived in Beirut on a Russianowned vessel in 2013. The ship, named the MV Rhosus, was destined for Mozambique -- but stopped in Beirut due to financial difficulties that also created unrest with the ship’s Russian and Ukrainian crew. Once it arrived, the ship never left Beirut’s port, according Lebanon’s Director of Customs, Badri Daher, despite repeated warnings by him and others that the cargo was the equivalent of “a floating bomb.” “Due to the extreme danger posed by this stored items in unsuitable climate conditions, we reiterate our request to the Port Authorities to re-export the goods immediately to maintain the safety of the port and those working in it,” Daher’s predecessor, Chafic Merhi, wrote in a 2016 letter addressed to a judge involved in the case. Lebanese authorities have not named the MV Rhosus as the source of the substance that ultimately exploded in Beirut on Tuesday, but Prime Minister Hassan Diab said the devastating blast was caused by
Tuesday’s massive explosion, which rocked the capital, left at least 137 dead and 5,000 injured.
2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate. He added that the substance had been stored for six years at the port warehouse without safety measures, “endangering the safety of citizens.” Lebanon’s general security chief also said a “highly explosive material” had been confiscated years earlier and stored in the warehouse, which is just a few minutes’ walk from Beirut’s shopping and nightlife districts. Tuesday’s massive explosion, which rocked the capital, left at least 137 dead and 5,000 injured. On Wednesday, Lebanese Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad Najd said there are papers and documents dating back to
2014 proving the existence of an exchange of information about the “material” confiscated by Lebanese authorities. She told Jordan’s stateowned channel Al Mamlaka that the exchange is being considered in relation to the potential cause of the deadly Beirut blast. Asked in a telephone interview if there are any early findings in the investigations related to the cause of the explosion, she said, “There are no preliminary results or clarification.” ‘FLOATING BOMB’ In 2013, the MV Rhosus set off from Batumi, Georgia, destined for Mozambique, according to the vessel’s path and the account of its
captain Boris Prokoshev. It was carrying 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate, an industrial chemical commonly used around the world as a fertilizer -- and in explosives for mining. The Moldovan-flagged ship stopped in Greece to refuel. That’s when the ship’s owner told the Russian and Ukrainian sailors that he had run out of money and they would have to pick up additional cargo to cover the travel costs -- which led them on a detour to Beirut. The vessel was owned by a company called Teto Shipping which members of the crew said was owned by Igor Grechushkin, a Khabarovsk businessman who resided in Cyprus. Once in Beirut, the MV Rhosus was detained by local port authorities due to “gross violations in operating a vessel,” unpaid fees to the port, and complaints filed by the Russian and Ukrainian crew , according to the Seafarers’ Union of Russia (affiliated with the International Transport Workers’ Federation, or ITF), which represented the Russian sailors, told CNN. It never resumed its journey. The sailors had been on the ship for 11 months with few supplies, according to Prokoshev. “I wrote to Putin everyday... Eventually we had to sell the fuel and use the money to hire a lawyer because there was not help, the owner did not even provide us with food or water,” Prokoshev said in a radio interview with Echo
Moscow on Wednesday. They would eventually abandon the ship. “According to our information, the Russian crew was later repatriated to their homeland... the salaries were not paid,” the union told CNN. “At the time, on board of the dry cargo ship there were particularly dangerous goods -- ammonium nitrate, which the port authorities of Beirut did not allow to unload or transfer to another ship,” it added. In 2014, Mikhail Voytenko, who runs an online publication tracking maritime activity, described the ship as a “floating bomb.” UNHEARD WARNINGS According to emails exchanged by Prokoshev and a Beirut-based lawyer Charbel Dagher, who represented the crew in Lebanon, the ammonium nitrate was unloaded in Beirut’s port by November 2014 and stored in a hangar. It was then kept in that hangar for six years, despite repeated warnings from the Director of Lebanese Customs, Badri Daher, of the “extreme danger” that the cargo posed. But public court documents CNN obtained through the prominent Lebanese human rights activist, Wadih Al-Asmar, reveal that Daher and his predecessor, Merhi, turned to Beirut’s courts to help dispose of the dangerous goods multiple times from 2014 onwards.
Bank of England: Downturn less severe than feared THE UK economic slump caused by Covid-19 will be less severe than expected, but the recovery will also take longer, the Bank of England has said. It expects the economy to shrink by 9.5% this year. While this would be the biggest annual decline in 100 years, it is not as steep as the Bank’s initial estimate of a 14% contraction. However, the Bank said unemployment was likely to rise “materially” as it held interest rates at 0.1%. The Bank said the recovery had been “earlier and more rapid” than it had assumed in May, reflecting a faster easing of lockdown restrictions. Governor Andrew Bailey added: “We have had a strong recovery in the last few months. The pace puts the economy ahead of where we thought it would be in May.”
The Bank said spending on clothing and household furnishings was now back to pre-Covid levels, while consumers have carried on spending more on food and energy bills than before the lockdown. However, Mr Bailey cautioned against reading too much into recent data: “We don’t think the recent past is necessarily a good guide to the immediate future,” he said. The Bank said leisure spending and business investment remained subdued, which would weigh on the recovery. SLOWER RECOVERY The Bank said the UK still faced its sharpest recession on record, with the outlook for growth now “unusually uncertain”. It expects the UK economy to grow by 9% in 2021, and 3.5% in 2022, with the economy forecast to
A man wearing a mask walks past the Bank of England in London.
get back to its pre-Covid size at the end of 2021. This compares with growth estimates of 15% and 3% respectively, in a scenario the Bank
set out in May. Unemployment is expected to almost double from the current rate of 3.9% to 7.5% at the end of the year as government-funded support
schemes come to an end. Average earnings are also expected to shrink for the first time since the financial crisis. The Bank said more workers faced a pay cut or freeze in 2020, adding: “In many cases, bonuses have been scaled back or withdrawn altogether for this year”. Its latest forecasts are based on the assumption that there is no second wave of the virus and that there is a smooth transition to a new EU free trade agreement at the start of 2021. A fall in energy prices and the temporary VAT cut for hotels, theme parks and other hospitality businesses means the cost of living is expected to barely rise this year. The Bank expects inflation, as measured by the consumer prices index (CPI), to fall close to zero by the end of 2020, before gradually rising back to its target of 2%. (BBC)
28 CLASSIFIEDS LESHUN SEBASTIAN MISSICK Palm Grove, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a
LABOURER
Installs pipes and fixtures, such as sinks and toilets, for water, gas, steam, air, or other liquids. Installs supports for pipes, equipment, and etc To work 5 days a week. Salary: $7.00 hourly
CONTACT: 232-9541
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is a First Time work permit holder 21729
ARI & KISHANTA COMERT
Unit #4 Turquoise Ridge Town Home, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a
DOMESTIC WORKER
• Child care, assist with cleaning and cooking. • 5 days a week. Salary: $6.25 hourly
CONTACT: 244-3840
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder
August 8-14, 2020
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS COX LABOUR SERVICES 854 Leeward Highway, Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands
LABOURER
Cleaning and maintaining of Provo Golf Club and the Grace Bay Strip. Be willing to work weekends and holidays. Belongers are encouraged to send resumes to the Labour Department as this position is currently held by a Work Permit holder. $6.50per hour 649-231-6710 MERVCO.ACC@GMAIL.COM
22120
DELLA COLLYMORE Front Street, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a
CAREGIVER
• Duties: Light housekeeping duties, such as dishes or folding laundry. Plan, prepare and monitor meals. Run errands. • To work 6 days a week. SALARY: $6.25 per hour.
CONTACT: 232-5157
Belongers are encouraged To send a copy of their Resume to the Labour Board. This is a renewal of work permit application. 22022
ELITE SECURITY
30 Reo Drive Limited, Juba Sound, Providenciales Is seeking a
SECURITY OFFICER
• Must have over five (5) years’ experience. • Secures premises and personnel by patrolling property; monitoring surveillance equipment; inspecting buildings, equipment, and access points; permitting entry. Obtains help by sounding alarms. Salary: $7 hourly
CONTACT: 649-231-0047
Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board A work permit holder currently holds this position
CADS CONSTRUCTION Back Salina, Grand Turks Is seeking to employ a
SHEET METAL FOREMAN
• Supervise. • Salary based on experience
STEEL ERECTOR
• Erect steel. • Salary based on experience.
MASON
• Lay blocks • Salary based on experience.
CARPENTER
• Cut wood • Salary based on experience.
LABOURER
• Cleaning the construction site. • Salary based on experience
CONTACT: 241-25154 Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board
GTC LIMITED/BELLA LUNA
P.O.Box 543, #6 Grace Bay Road, Providenciales. Is seeking to employ a
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!
COOK
THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS
- $10 HOURLY
• Must have 5 years experience on the line with Italian Cuisine. • Must be willing to work weekends, evenings and holidays. • Must be available 6 nights a
week. • Must speak, read and write English. • Must work well with others and work well under pressure. • Must have a clean police record.
CONTACT: 331-6763 Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder. Application deadline: August 21st, 2020 22137
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Head Butler
TCA Handling Flight Services Ground Handlers for American Airlines and JetBlue is currently seeking qualified Belongers to fill the following vacant positions.
Customer Service Coordinator
REQUIRED TO WORK AT A LUXURY VILLA
JOB DESCRIPTION:
• Establishing safety policies, procedures and working conditions that affect the employee on the job. • Must communicate all safety policies and procedures within their operation. • Direct and coordinate activities to provide a safe environment for employees while maintaining fast and efficient services. • Must be able to conduct flight audits, station audits and "at risk" behavior audits. • Participate in company safety training. • Able to communicate and instill safety awareness in all employees including new hires. • Work in conjunction with Customer to determine manpower requirements for group movements, peak travel holidays, out of scope and flight schedule changes.
REQUIREMENTS:
• 5yrs experience in Customer Service Aviation • 4yrs experience in a Supervisor/Management Role • Ability to work with a diverse team/Must be customer focus • Must have a clean Police Record • Must be able to travel regional and internationally • Must have strong verbal and written communication skills • Must possess computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Suite preferred • Must be able to work weekends and Public holidays Salary Scale: $33,600.00 to $42,000.00 per annum based on qualification and experience Application giving full details of qualifications and experience should be addressed to:
The Human Resources Manager TCA Handling Ltd. Town Centre Mall Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI
RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: • Responsible for the Training of all Butlers and Supervisors • Maintain proper inventory of food supplies, utensils cutlery, and table linen • Must have the Initiative to work efficiently with minimal supervision and is capable • of multitasking. Serving welcome drinks, escort guest to assigned rooms. • Consistently provide thoughtful, caring and sincere service and work as part of the team • To assist with any plans or arrangements the guest intends to make during their stay • Must be fully aware of chef’s menu in order to answer any questions and communicate with Chef • Ability to follow directions both written and verbally • Must be honest and confidential • Must be able to remain calm during stressful situations • Must be a good communicator • Must be Serv Safe & Kosher Training Approved • Must be willing to perform any other duties assigned by the Property Manager This position requires a person who has previous experience working as a butler in Luxury Villas with training in Kosher Standards, is well presented, must be able to perform First Aid and or CPR, have dependable transportation to and from work and is extremely self-motivated. This person will be required to work weekends and holidays. Renumeration for this position starts at $2,000.00 per month.
and should reach no later than August 21, 2020 for further information/appointment you can contact us at Tele:649-941-5969/941-5353 and/or email hr@tcahandling.com.
22118
Please note that this position is currently held by a work permit holder. Email all resume’s to hr@thesource.tc. Interested persons are encouraged to drop off a copy of their resume to the Department of Labour 22123
August 8-14, 2020
CLASSIFIEDS 29
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
GRACE BAY MEDICAL CENTER
Neptune Plaza, Providenciales TCI. Is seeking to employ a
PHYSICIAN
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS • Must have a M.B.B.S. or a Medical Doctor Degree from an accredited University • Minimum 5 years work experience in a Primary Health Care setting • A minimum of 5 years as a registered Medical Practitioner on a register of a recognized Medical Board. MAIN DUTIES • Perform physical examinations, consultations • Manage and treat acute
chronic illnesses • Order laboratory and diagnostic tests • Perform minor procedures • Patient health education • Expected to be part of practice management and administration • Liaise with healthcare professionals and hospitals • Perform basic ultrasounds • Computer knowledge Salary $8500.00. Belongers only apply. Position is held by a work permit holder.
Email: cynthia@gracebaymedical.com Phone: 649-941-5252. Fax: 649-946-8243
22121
CHURCH OF GOD ABUNDANT LIFE
CONTACT: 241-8730
# 111, Regent Village Grace Bay, Providenciales 333-5034
KITCHEN HELPER Sweep or scrub floors,
EBEN-EZEN /DENISE SMITH
• Completing preventive maintenance such as, engine tuneups, oil changes, wheel balancing, and replacing filters. • Must have 3 years’ experience. Salary: $11 hourly
CONTACT: 333-1505
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 22126
LUX RENT A CAR
1267 Market Place, Leeward Highway. Is seeking a
CUSTOMER SERVICE ATTENDANT
clean food preparation areas, clean meats & vegetables. Clean garbage cans with water or steam, transfer supplies, equipment between storage & work areas, wash dishes. Salary: $ 6.25 per hour
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 and that there is adequate change. Salary: $6.50 hourly
Renewal, Belonger will be given first preference
Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board A work permit holder currently holds this position 22110
NICOLA ROBERTS
SALON SPA MIA
22139
Palm Circle, Leeward Palms Is seeking to employ a
LABOURER
Clean yard, water plants, cut grass. Salary: $6.50 hourly
CONTACT: 241-2043
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 22129
CONTACT: 244-2327
FIVE CAYS, PROVO Is seeking a
MASSAGE THERAPIST
• Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance. • To work 6 days a week. Salary: $10 hourly
CONTACT: 247-8600
Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position
22125
6 days a week @ $6.50 per hour. Minimum 5 yrs relevant experience in reputed organization.
FUN CRUISE
LABOURER
LE BOUCHON DU VILLAGE
CASHIER WANTED ALEX FREITES, 110 FIVE CAYS RD, LIZ BAKERY BLDG. FIVE CAYS 332-5690 WORK PERMIT RENEWAL
MECHANIC
22138
CARPENTER - $400 WEEKLY
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 22132
CLOSE TO BLUE HAVEN, GRACE BAY Is seeking to employ a
Keeping the church clean and tidy between various church activities, clean the yard remove trash, trim the trees. Cleans the sanctuary after services, including vacuuming. clean windows, including stained glass. Empties the wastebaskets and removes any other debris in communal areas. Scrubs restrooms after every service and events. cleans the Church bus before each service through the week. Renewal. Belonger will be given first preference
#29 Norway Road, Apt #2 Kew town. Is seeking 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
Kew Town, 241-0452
Pay: 6.25 per hour
Church of God of Prophecy
ARTHUR DEAN
#47 Dock Yard, Kew Town Is seeking to employ a
TCI INDUSTRIAL SERVICES LTD
#30 Parrot Cut ave., Discovery Bay Is seeking to employ a
PAINT SPECIALIST Wallpapering, stucco repair, able to do Venetian plastering, pricing charts and interior and exterior finishing. Salary: $800 per week
CONTACT: 941-4051
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position
22130
22135
#5 LOWER BIGHT, LEEWARD HIGHWAY Is seeking to employ a
MAINTENANCE MAN
• Fix and maintain mechanical equipment, buildings, and machines. Tasks include plumbing work, painting, flooring repair and upkeep, electrical repairs, heating, and air conditioning system. • To work 6 days per week Salary: $9 per hour
CONTACT: 341-6493
Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board A work permit holder currently holds this position
22131
• Cut and measure wood. • 5 days a week.
EVANGELIST - $400 WEEKLY
• Create culture, environments and training to facilitate evangelism through new and existing ministries inside the Church. • 5 days a week CONTACT: 241-2962
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. These positions are currently held by work permit holders
DELUXE MAINTENANCE
Dawkin Lane, Juba Sound Is seeking to employ a
CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY Conch Bar, Middle 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. • To work 5 days a week. Salary: $6.50 hourly
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 Salary: $6.25 hourly
CONTACT: 241-4072
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position
22127
22140
CONTACT: 246-3062
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 22128
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!
THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS THE WINE CELLAR IS SEEKING TO HIRE AN
ACCOUNTANT
• Prepare, examine and analyze accounting records, financial statements and other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness and conformance to reporting and procedural standards. • Establish tables of accounts and assign entries to proper accounts • Ensure accurate and appropriate recording and analysis of revenues and expenses • Establish and monitor the implementation and maintenance of accounting control procedures. • Compile and analyze financial information to prepare entries to accounts, such as general ledger accounts and documents business transactions • Analyze financial information to
recommend or develop efficient use of resources and procedures, provide strategic recommendations and maintain solutions to business and financial problems • Responsible for generating a monthly payroll run (including the relevant PAYE, National Insurance and National Health Insurance deduction) for all employees • Knowledge of Counterpoint System and QuickBooks are a must • Accounting designation of ACCA or CPA • WSET Level 1 qualification • Apply general knowledge of applicable information technology to meet work needs • Performing any other accounting related task SALARY depending on experience
This position is for work permit renewal qualified Belongers are encourage to submit their resume to the Labor Department
Please send Resume to: Discount Liquors/ The Wine Cellar Fax: 649-946-4871 or email: info@winecellar.tc NO PHONE CALLS
22119
30 CLASSIFIEDS ISLAND CLUB
GRACE BAY Is seeking to employ a
HOUSEKEEPER
• Cleaning condo complexes. • Full time/part time housekeeping staff required. Starting Salary: $9 hourly
Email: admin@ islandclubturks.com
Belongers are encouraged to apply 22124
ISLAND LANDSCAPING
JAMESSON BRUTUS
PROVO STEVEDORING LTD
LABOURER Cleaning outside the
DOMESTIC WORKER
MECHANIC
South Dock Road Is seeking to employ a
property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and door frames. Salary: $6.25 hourly
CONTACT: 342-5808
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 22114
August 8-14, 2020
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS Miss D Yard, The Bight Is seeking to employ a
Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. Salary: $6.25 hourly
CONTACT: 342-9207
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board A work permit holder currently holds this position
22116
South Dock, Provo Is seeking to employ a
CONTACT: 332-4078
CONTACT: 244-2327
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 22134
PAINTER
GARDENERS
– 5 years’ experience Full time position maintaining the beauty and health of plants, flowers, outdoor spaces and trees on Pine Cay. General maintenance tasks include designing, producing, renewing and preserving outdoor spaces. In depth knowledge of plant species, pests, fertilizer, pruning and water guide.
2 FRONT DESK AGENT
5 years’ experience in a Luxury Resort environment. POS experience a must. Night audit or accounting knowledge would be an asset. A second language would be preferred but not mandatory. Some shifts may require you to stay on Pine Cay.
HOUSEMAN
for Housekeeping Department: 5 years’ experience in a Luxury Resort environment. Knowledge of related cleaning products and the correct usage. Assist in the daily operation of Hotel Housekeeping duties. May be some heavy lifting involved. Some shifts may require staying on Pine Cay.
2 – FINE DINING SERVERS
5 years’ experience in a Fine Dining Restaurant environment. Must have good communication and customer service skills. The individual must be self- motivate, punctual and organized with a vast knowledge of wine and pairings. Always ensure a superior level of service to our guests. Be able to memorize orders of food and beverages. Know the proper table arrangements of plates, utensils and glasses willing to work as a team player and able to overcome the challenges associated with the F & B Industry. This position requires the individual to stay on Pine Cay during scheduled shifts.
BARTENDER
5 years + experience in a Luxury Resort environment. Individual should have good communication and customer service skills. Perform bar set-up/ close, restock, inventory control and responsible for the continuous sanitation of bar area. Must be able to stand for long periods of time. Vast knowledge of bar beverages both alcoholic and nonalcoholic. Ongoing development of new recipes will be required. May be required to serve foo at the bar area. This positon requires the individual to stay on Pine Cay during scheduled shifts. Applicants must have a good employment record and a clean police record. Some positions require the individual to stay on Pine Cay during the scheduled shifts. Only short-listed candidates will be contracted. Interested applicants can submit their resumes to:
resort@meridianclub.com
LABOURER
• Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and door frames. • To work 6 days a week. Salary: $6.25 hourly
Of Grand Turk
2 – LABOURERS
1267 MARKET PLACE, LEEWARD HIGHWAY Is seeking to employ a
Keeps equipment available for use by inspecting and testing vehicles; completing preventive maintenance such as, engine tune-ups, oil changes, tire changes, wheel balancing, and replacing filters. Salary: $16 hourly
E & V CONSTRUCTION
for Maintenance Department: Willing to start immediately, minimum 5 years’ experience. Must have a professional attitude and work ethic, individual must be skilled in tiling, carpentry, and operate numerous types of equipment. Wage will reflect with the level of experience. Understanding of the English language essential.
RONALD STORE
Duties: Scraping, cleaning, Priming and painting Buildings. SALARY: $10.00 per hour.
CONTACT: 242-1358 Belongers are encouraged To send a copy of their resume To the Labour Office. This Position is currently held by a Work permit holder.
22150
FERGUSON WILLIAMS
Moxey Road, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ
KITCHEN HELPER
Duties: Help the cook, Clean Dishes, Mop and Clean floors. SALARY: $6.50 per hour.
CONTACT: 241-5759
Belongers are asked to Send a copy of their resume To the Labour Board. This Position is currently held by A worker permit holder. 22141
HILDA FULFORD HOSPITAL ROAD GRAND TURK
DOMESTIC WORKER
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 22112
CHAMESE SIMMS
Waterloo Road, Grand Turk
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: 332-8383
Belongers are encouraged to Send a copy of their resume To the Labour Board. This Position is currently held by a work permit holder. 22143
GERMAN CIGAR PUB
East Suburbs, Grand Turk
BARMAID
Duties: Mix and Serve drinks. Keep counter areas and tables clean. Salary: $6.50 per hour
CONTACT: 241-4979
Belongers are encouraged to Send a copy of their resume To the Labour Board. This Position is currently held by a work permit holder.
22147
RAYMOND SIMMONS
Moore’S Alley, Grand Turk
LABOURER
SEAL SECURITY LTD.
Thompson Cove, Provo Is seeking to employ a
MASTER CHARGE CLERK
• Must have knowledge of QuickBooks, accounting and spreadsheets. • Must be willing to work 6 days per week. Salary: $1,200 per month
CONTACT: 442-6220 Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board This position is a First Time work permit holder
22113
CAREY SKIPPINGS NORTH BACK SALINA Grand Turk
LABOURER
Duties: To clean maintain Premises, dispose of garbage and any other duties as necessary. SALARY: $7.50 per hour.
CONTACT: 346-9276
Belongers are encouraged To send a copy of their Resume to the Labour Board. This is a first time work permit application.
22148
GLAMOUR M & R BEAUTY SALON Over Back, Grand Turk
HAIRSTYLIST
Duties: Braiding, Weaving, Relaxing, Loc, grooming And maintenance, cutting And trimming and styling. Salary: $7.50 per hour.
CONTACT: 242-0957
Belongers are asked to send A copy of their resume to The Labour Board. This position is Currently held by a work permit holder. 22151
SARAH SIMMONS Off Osborne Road Grand Turk
KITCHEN HELPER
Duties: Regular housekeeping. Which includes Cleaning mopping Dusting, sweeping and Assisting with cooking and any other chores. Salary: $6.50 per hour.
Duties: To clean maintain Premises, dispose of garbage and any other duties as necessary. SALARY: $7.50 per hour.
Duties: Help the cook, Clean Dishes, Mop and Clean floors. SALARY: $6.50 per hour.
CONTACT: 242-1678
CONTACT: 241-9340
CONTACT: 242-2480
Belongers are encouraged To send a copy of their Resume to the Labour Board. This is a first time work permit application. 22152
Belongers are encouraged to Send a copy of their resume To the Labour Board. This Position is currently held by a work permit holder. 22144
Belongers are asked to Send a copy of their resume To the Labour Board. This Position is currently held by A worker permit holder. 22146
August 8-14, 2020 SHA CLEANING COMPANY
Blue Hills, Millennium Plaza Is seeking to employ a
CLEANER
Cleaning, mopping, etc. Salary: $6.25 hourly
CONTACT: 649-243-8962
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 22115
BETTY CAROL PENA
THE LUX CAR WASH
1267 Market Place, Leeward Highway. Is seeking to employ a
CAR WASH ATTENDANT
To wash, scrub and polish the interiors and exteriors of car suv’s and buses. Task; vacuum, clean and maintain vehicles. Salary: $6.25 hourly
CONTACT: 244-2327
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position
22111
TIKI HUT
D&S WAVE DANCER/ BERARDINO & SHIRLEANE
LABOURER
• Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, door frames. Cares for garden. • To work 5 days a week. Salary: $300 weekly
CONTACT: 342-0156
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 22156
LUMP CONSTRUCTION
#136 Turtle Cove Marina Is seeking to employ a
DOMESTIC WORKER
#26 Tana Road, Five Cays Is seeking to employ a
RESTAURANT CAPTAIN
2 LABOURERS
Duties: Regular housekeeping Which includes Cleaning mopping Dusting, sweeping and Assisting with cooking and any other chores. Salary: $6.50 per hour.
CONTACT: 242-6772
Belongers are encouraged to Send a copy of their resume To the Labour Board. This Position is currently held by a work permit holder.
22142
• Arrange schedule, placing orders and supervise staff. • Must be willing to work 6 days a week. Salary: $7 hourly
CONTACT: 941-5341
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board A work permit holder currently holds this position
22158
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 Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 22157
THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS
MAKE Toyota Toyota Suzuki Toyota Nissan Nissan Nissan Ford Ford Ford Ford Ford Ford
MODEL Passo Passo Swift BB Note Note Tilda Fiesta Fiesta Fiesta Fiesta Fiesta Fiesta
PHYSICIAN
YEAR 2008 2009 2010 2009 2010 2010 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011
LICENSE 07010 07011 07401 006485 006858 6898 7334 7509 7512 7514 7515 7516 7517
COLOR White Black Blue Silver Grey Red Silver Magenta Silver Black White Blue Grey
PRICE $3,500.00 $3,500.00 $5,500.00 $6,500.00 $5,500.00 $6,000.00 $6,000.00 $6,500.00 $6,000.00 $6,500.00 $6,000.00 $6,000.00 $6,500.00
Dodge Dodge Dodge Dodge Chrysler Dodge Chrysler Chrysler Chrysler Chrysler Chrysler Chrysler
Caravan Caravan Caravan Caravan Town&Coun Caravan Town&Coun Town&Coun Town&Coun Town&Coun Town&Coun Town&Coun
66796 63944 60447 56954 44866 41510 88299 56904 55810 48925 59020 49200
2010 2010 2010 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012
Black Blue Black White Black Red White Silver Black Silver Silver Grey
$9,500.00 $10,000.00 $10,000.00 $12,000.00 $11,000.00 $11,000.00 $12,000.00 $13,500.00 $13,500.00 $14,000.00 $13,500.00 $12,000.00
White White
$26,000.00 $17,500.00
8962 8963
Silver White
$16,500.00 $16,500.00
6757 7950 7873 7936 6978 6979 7949
Red Black White Red White Silver Black
$21,000.00 $28,000.00 $28,000.00 $33,000.00 $30,000.00 $30,000.00 $30,000.00
White
$43,000.00
7767 7768 7769 7829 7830 7831 7832 7833 7835 7836 7837 7838
E350 E350
50407 51688
2014 2011
7733 7844
Pick-up Truck
• Order laboratory and diagnostics tests. • Perform minor procedures. • Be proactive with patient health education. • Expected to be part of practice management and administration. • Liaise with other healthcare professionals and/or hospitals. • Ability to perform basic ultrasounds an asset. • Computer knowledge-experience using EMR files. • Bi-lingual will be an asset. Monthly Salary $6500 to $8500 depending on experience. Belongers only apply. A work permit holder holds position.
Email: cynthia@gracebaymedical.com phone: 649-941-5252. Fax: 649-946-8243
KM/M 62531 93806 77857 78465 100059 79565 92404 12655 24300 17337 21090 18902 14298
7-Passenger Minivan
Ford Ford
Neptune Plaza, Providenciales TCI. Is seeking to employ a
• Carry out patient consultations in the Clinic. • Perform physical examinations. • Diagnosis and treatment of illnesses.
VEHICLES FOR SALE
15-Passenger Van
GRACE BAY MEDICAL CENTER
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Mystique Car Rental & Tours 72 Old Airport Road, Providenciales, TCI Phone: (649) 941-3910, (649) 946-4864
CONTACT: 241-2478
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!
• Must have a M.B.B.S. or a Medical Doctor Degree from an accredited University • Minimum 5 years work experience in a Primary Health Care setting and a minimum of 3 years working in a Secondary Health Care institution. • A minimum of 5 years as a registered Medical Practitioner on a register of a recognized Medical Board.
MYSTIQUE CAR RENTAL HERTZ/THRIFTY
Turtle Cove Marina Is seeking to employ a
North Back Salina Grand Turk
MAIN DUTIES
CLASSIFIEDS 31
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
22133
Toyota Mazda
Liteace Bongo
21258 12150
2014 2014
SUV Hyundai Mazda Mazda Ford Ford Ford Ford
Tucson CX5 CX5 Explorer Explorer Explorer Explorer
27730 17585 27944 15445 27631 29773 15120
2014 2014 2014 2013 2012 2012 2013
4 DOOR JEEP Jeep
Wrangler
26737
2014
8599
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!! THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS
32 CLASSIFIEDS ADNER LOUIS
BEHIND MARAH, BIBLE STREET #183 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
CONTACT: 342-5354
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 22072
COLLEN DELANCY #830A LEEWARD HWY, THE BIGHT Is seeking to employ a
MUSICIAN
Perform for crowds. 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
22161
AMG CAICOS ENTERPRISES
SALES/ GRAPHIC ARTIST
Duties: Must hold a bachelor’s Degree, organized, selfmotivate and willing to travel. Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Graphic Design Programs Must have own transportation and willing to work long hours Salary: 2,500.00 per month
CONTACT: 649-343-6586 PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THE VOICEMAIL
This position is for a new applicant qualified Belongers are encouraged to submit their resume to the Labor Department 17357
COUGAR HOLDINGS LTD
JACKSON ROCK Back Salina, Grand Turk
MASON HELPER Duties: To mix mortar, Assist the Mason to lay Bricks and stone. Salary: $6.50 per hour.
CONTACT: 344-5323
Belongers are asked to send A copy of their resume to The Labour Board. This is for work permit renewal. 22102
THOMAS SWANN
45 Universal Rd Provo Industrial Park. ARE SEEKING
Address: Brezee Brae, Grand Turk. Is seeking to employ a
1 ONSITE LABOURER
LABOURER
DUTIES INCLUDE SITE MAINTAINANCE AND CLEANING SALARY $6.50PH 8 HRS PER DAY 6 DAYS PER WEEK This position is currently held by a work permit holder. Applicants who are Turks and Caicos Islanders should send copies of their application to the immigration board and KINDLY EMAIL centralstoragetci@gmail.com Contact: 231-6678 22097
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: $7.50per hourly
CONTACT: 3321022
Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder. 20079
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!! THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS
TJ’S CONSTRUCTION LTD.
KERENE STILES
MASON
DOMESTIC WORKER
West Road, Grand Turk
Duties: Repair, Maintain And alter buildings, Retaining and boundary, Walls, mix mortar, Plastering, lay Bricks and stone. Salary: $7.00 per hour.
CONTACT: 245-4888
Belongers are asked to send A copy of their resume to The Labour Board. This position is Currently held by a work permit Holder. 22104
DA CONCH SHACK
#51 Bay Road, Blue Hills 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
CONTACT: 946-8877
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board A work permit holder currently holds this position
22059
LINDA WILLIAMS
Back Salina, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a
DOMESTIC WORKER
Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. Salary: $6.25 hourly
CONTACT: 232-2399
CAICOS MARINA & SHIPYARD
CLEANER/ YARD LABOURER CLEANER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Clean and clear yard of all brush and unwanted vegetation and dispose of same in a correct manner • Performs general sweeping, scrubbing, mopping of hardwood, laminate, or tiled floors • Maintaining and upkeep of all cleaning equipment, supplies and products • Ensuring safe and sanitary storage and care of products
August 8-14, 2020
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
• Disposal of trash from bins and containers • Polishing furniture and room accessories as needed • Scrubbing sinks, basins, and toilets in private and public bathrooms • Keeping all public spaces neat and tidy • Cleaning windows, glass surfaces and mirrors • Wash and detail boats according to instructions • Clean docks and surroundings
Application: applications must be submitted in writing and delivered by hand to Caicos Marina and shipyard, Long Bay Highway, Providenciales. Prior experience working at a marina would be a plus. Salary paid at hourly rate of $7.00. closing date for application is August 15th, 2020 21991
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 22071
HOSPITAL ROAD Grand Turk
Duties: Cleaning mopping, Dusting, sweeping and Polishing and other household Chores. Salary: $6.50 per hour.
CONTACT: 345-8239
Belongers are encouraged to Send a copy of their resume. To the Labour Board. This Position is currently held by A work permit holder. 22089
DEEP BLUE CLEANING SERVICES #1, 16 Ingham Cl, Blue Hills Is seeking to employ a
JANITOR
• Stocking and supplying designated facility areas, dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, cleaning ceiling vents, restroom cleaning etc. • To work 6 days a week. Salary: $6.50 hourly
CONTACT: 345-5284
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 22082
CONTACT: 345-1428
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 22101
DELICIOUS DISHES
21 AIRPORT ROAD, ELITE PLAZA, HOUSE #3 Is seeking to employ a
KITCHEN HELPER
Preparing the workstation for the cook. Keeping the kitchen area clean and tidy at all times. Salary: $8 hourly
CONTACT: 344-2420
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board A work permit holder currently holds this position
22084
2 STORE CLERKS
Receive payment by cash, and credit cards, Issue receipts, and change due to customers. Count money in cash drawers to ensure that amounts are correct and that there is adequate change. Salary: $6.50 hourly
CONTACT: 346-6920 Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board A work permit holder currently holds this position 22060
BABYSITTER Duties include taking care
HOUSEKEEPER
THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER. INTERESTED BELONGERS MAY APPLY TO NAKIERWILSON@GMAIL.COM. ONLY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED FOR AN INTERVIEW. 22075
CARETAKER
• Help the patient get dressed, eat, bathe and complete light housekeeping duties, such as dishes or folding laundry. Administer medication intake • To work 5 days a week. Salary: $6.50 hourly
LELE’S INTERNET CAFE
DAVID COESTER
of toddlers, maintaining the household, daily chores such as sweeping, mopping, washing. Hours: Monday to Saturday 2pm10pm. Wage: $6.50 an hour
Back Salina, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a
Black Crow Rd., Kew Town/ Close to Mary Jane Lane, Blue Hills. Is seeking
NAKIER WILSON
#18 Moores Lane, Juba Sound, Providenciales. is hiring a
KASSANDRA ROCK
#35 Nina Lane, leeward, Providenciales
Duties: Performing a variety of Housekeeping chores such as Sweeping, mopping, dusting and Polishing to ensure all rooms are Madeup and kept tidy. monthly salary $1200.
BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD INTERESTED PERSONS PLEASE CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER 232-1643 EMAIL ADDRESS SWIFTDELIVERY@ TCIWAY.TC. RENEWAL WORK PERMIT 22107
NMS BEAUTY SALON
#7 Sams Plaza, Down Town Is seeking to employ a
COSMETOLOGIST
Shampooing, cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. Makeup, dress wigs, perform hair removal, nail and skin care services. Salary: $6.50 hourly
CONTACT: 345-8665
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 22064
August 8-14, 2020
SHANETTA THOMPSON
Waterloo road, Grand Turk
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: 243-4598
Belongers are encouraged to Send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This Position is currently held by a work permit holder. 22145
CORE MOBILITY DBA SIXT RENT-A-CAR Blue Heron Drive, South Dock Is seeking a
CAR WASH ATTENDANT
• To wash, scrub and polish the interiors and exteriors of car suv’s and buses to protect their appearance • Vacuum, clean and maintain vehicles. • 6 days a week Salary: $6.25 hourly
Contact: 941-3966 Email: reservations@sixt.tc
Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board A work permit holder currently holds this position 22160
MYRLENE PIERRE HOSPITAL ROAD, GRAND TURK
LABOURER
Duties: To clean and Maintain premises by raking And cleaning yard disposing of Refuse, cleaning windows and doors. SALARY: $6.50 per hour
CONTACT: 332-0732
this position is for work permit renewal Belongers are encouraged to submit a copy of their resume to the Labour Department 21968
CLASSIFIEDS 33
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS STEPHANIE BEAUTY SALON
STEPHANIE BEAUTY SALON
Over Back, Grand Turk
Over Back. GRAND TURK
HAIRSTYLIST
NAIL TECHNICIAN
Duties: Braiding, Weaving, Relaxing, Loc, grooming And maintenance, cutting And trimming and styling. Salary: $7.50 per hour.
CONTACT: 241-5785
Belongers are asked to send A copy of their resume to The Labour Board. This position is Currently held by a work permit holder. 22149
ISLAND FABRICATION AND MACHINERY South Dock, Providenciales. Is currently looking for
CERTIFIED WELDERS
APPLICANTS MUST BE:
• Able to weld carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum • Familiar with carbon stick, mig and tig welding processes • Able to measure, cut and fit accurately, without supervision
Duties: to design paint and refill, Nails, to do Pedicures and manicures. SALARY: $9.00 per hour
CONTACT: 241-5785 Belongers are encouraged to Send a copy of their resume To The Labour Board. This Position is currently held by a Work permit holder.
22153
WEALTHY SAUNDERS
Palm Grove, Grand Turk
LABOURER Duties: To clean maintain Premises, dispose of garbage and any other duties as necessary. SALARY: $7.50 per hour.
CONTACT: 241-1155
CONTACT 432-0024 Word Permit Renewal
ARNOLD GARDINER Major Hill, North Caicos Is seeking to employ a
DRIVER
• Drive and carry materials. • Must be willing to work 5 days a week. Salary: $12 hourly
CONTACT: 241-4990
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board A work permit holder currently holds this position
22069
Belongers are encouraged To send a copy of their Resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held By a work permit holder.
22154
C & B CONSTRUCTION
OVERBACK, GRAND TURK
CONSTRUCTION LABOURER
Help equipment operator, carpenters, and other skilled labor when necessary. Load or unload construction materials. Put together and take apart temporary structures, such as scaffolding. Perform site clean-up. Salary $7.50 per hour/ 6 days per week
CONTACT: 231-6432
This position is for a first time applicant Belongers are encouraged to submit a copy of their resume to the Labor Department 22105
JOB OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER COMPANY LIMITED (C.A.M)
MONEY TRANSFER CLERK TASKS WILL INCLUDE (BUT NOT LIMITED TO): • Process clients transfers in an efficient and timely manner. • Treat customers with respect and dignity and follow up on any claim they can have. • Manage with accuracy and care cash received from transactions. • Apply the company’s AML procedures and policies.
REQUIREMENTS • Must be willing to flexible hours, weekends and public holidays as required. • Must have basic knowledge of Spanish and Creole. • Must have good typing skills. • Must have high school education and at least (2) years of experience preferably as teller or in customer service. Salary: $9 hourly
Interested applicants can submit resumes to mremy@camtransfert. com or the human resources department, international transfer company ltd., #9 Aviation Drive, Down Town. 649-941-7671 Applicants are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Department This position is currently held by a work permit holder
22073
KEECHIE
Acting on behalf of Good Life in TCI LTD #62 Long Bay Hills, Providenciales
ASSISTANT MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES
• Building positive relationship with customers. • Assisting with generating new businesses • Identifying opportunities for great profits.
JOB BRIEF
• To build and preserve trusting relationship with or customers. • We rely on you to find ways to outperform or competition and maintain our company’s positive image. • To an excellent communicator, able to work with sales & marketing team. • Be a strategic thinker, strong-minded problem solving skills. • Requirements • Must be fluent in English, French, Spanish • Proven experience as a client manager, excellent communication skills. • Knowledge of customer relationship management practices. • Teamwork and leader ship skills. • BSC in Business Administration or similar field • To work 6 days a week. Salary: $4000 per month
CONTACT: 241-5286
Applicants must send their applications to acoolgray@hotmail.com Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board A work permit holder currently holds this position
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!
THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS J&C CONSTRUCTION Rigby Hill, Five Cays Is seeking to employ a
CONSTRUCTION LABOURER
Set up equipment, run lines for power tools, erect scaffolding, lay out tools, mixing concrete, hand tools to workers, and cleaning work site. Salary: $375 weekly
CONTACT: 347-4578
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position
22057
JOSEPH BENJAMIN CAMPBELL LOWER BIGHT 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: $6.25 hourly
CONTACT: 241-0663
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position
22062
JERICHO BAPTIST CHURCH 57 Royal Ave, Providenciales. Is seeking a
MUSICIAN Duties will include playing of Piano Keyboard, Training for Music Department, Weekly vocal training for Praise Team, Choir, Music class. Work hours include the following every church service, special functions and Events. Week work schedule must be flexible, salary base on experience.
Contact number 941-4840 this position is for work permit renewal Belongers are encouraged to submit a copy to the Labour Department 20080
LAS BRISAS RESTAURANT AND BAR
533 Chalk Sound Drive, Chalk Sound. Is seeking
1 DISHWASHER • Washing dishes, pots, pans, and flatware,. Preparing dining areas and kitchen for next shift by cleaning and restocking dining areas and cook stations • Must be willing to work 6 days a week. Salary: $6.25 hourly
CONTACT: 946-5306 Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. These positions for work permit renewal Belongers are encouraged to submit a copy of their work permit to Labor Department
22085
34 CLASSIFIEDS
August 8-14, 2020
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
JOB VACANCY NOTICE BY THE TCI INTEGRITY COMMISSION
COMPLIANCE OFFICER The Turks and Caicos Islands Integrity Commission invites applications from suitably qualified individuals to fill the vacant position of COMPLIANCE OFFICER within the Commission. FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMPLIANCE OFFICER The functions and responsibilities of the Compliance Officer are (a) to assist the Senior Compliance Officer in the discharge of his/her responsibilities as are set out below, (b) to carry out any special projects as assigned by the Senior Compliance Officer (c) to deputize for the Senior Compliance Officer in his/her absence, (d) to carry out such duties, consistent with the mandates of the Commission, as may be assigned from time to time by the Commission, whether directly or through the Director, or the Senior Compliance Officer. PURPOSE AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF SENIOR COMPLIANCE OFFICER (a) To have oversight of the day-to-day management of the Compliance Unit of the Integrity Commission; (b) To manage, supervise and assist personnel of his/her Unit in ensuring that the Commission effectively and efficiently discharges its mandate as anti-corruption agency and institution protecting good governance, through: • the promotion of integrity, honesty and good faith in public life of the TCI; • the robust implementation of and compliance with the provisions of the Integrity Commission Ordinance, Political Activities Ordinance, Bribery Ordinance, the Code of Conduct for Persons in Public Life, and the Constitution to the extent relevant to the Commission. (c) To develop measures, including compliance policies, manuals and strategies aimed at strengthening the Integrity Commission’s ethical standards and anti-corruption efforts. OTHER KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF SENIOR COMPLIANCE OFFICER INCLUDE: • Manage the intake and secure storage of declarations and statements of registrable interests; Provide oversight of and lead in the reviews and examinations of declarations for compliance, ensuring completeness, accuracy, consistency and validity of information for purposes of issuance of Compliance of Certificate; • Provide oversight of and lead in the review and examination of statements of registrable interests for compliance, ensuring completeness, accuracy, consistency and validity of information for purposes of compiling and maintaining the Register of Interests; • Manage the execution of full audits on declarations and statements of registrable interests to determine if there is evidence of possible corruption, falsehoods or fraudulent representations; • Manage the examination of the practices and procedures of public bodies in order to facilitate the discovery of corrupt practices; • Assist public bodies in developing robust policy
•
• • • •
and strategy to fight corruption and install integrity in their operations, including in the setting of ethics and compliance standards; Instruct, advise and assist the management of public bodies to put in place changes in practices or procedures necessary to prevent or reduce the occurrence of corrupt acts; Refine and improve on the current compliance policies and procedures and develop position papers on related issues; Provide ethics advice and information in relation to the Code of Conduct and conflict of interests matters; Design and implement training, communication and outreach strategy for “specified persons in public life”; Assist in other areas of work in the Commission as it becomes necessary;
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE • A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Accounting, Auditing, Law or similar. • A minimum of ten years’ experience in auditing, financial investigations, compliance and fraud reviews, including at least 2 years at a senior managerial level. • Professional certifications, such as the CCEP, CIA and/or CFE would highly desirable. • Overseas work experience (ideally in the Overseas Territories), experience of working closely with other cultures, and/or experience working with public services in small Islands states. • A strong track record of achievement in audit and compliance and related work. COMPETENCIES AND OTHER DESIRABLE QUALITIES INCLUDE: • Possess and demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, probity and understanding of fiduciary responsibilities to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands; • Experience in administering a financial disclosure programme; • Knowledgeable of current “best practices” in ethics and compliance programs, policies and procedures; • Knowledge and understanding of global anticorruption and good governance laws and regulations and ethical codes; • Proven knowledge of public sector anti-corruption issues, policies and practices; • Excellent understanding of financial instruments and transactions including banking instruments, investment vehicles and instruments, cash flows, corporate structures, partnership arrangements, and similar; • Good knowledge of investigative strategies, principles and methods; • Ability and experience in conducting interviews, eliciting relevant information and dealing with a
wide range of stakeholders; • Good analytic and evaluation skills to identify procedural or compliance weaknesses, and strong problem-solving ability; • Be able to provide guidance on compliance and financial disclosure issues; • Excellent interpersonal skills and oral and written communication and presentation skills • Ability to manage and review large volumes of data, as well as experience and skill in reviewing documentation to identify relevant evidence; • Demonstrates understanding of the importance of maintaining confidentiality and awareness of how to handle and maintain documents of evidentiary value; • Excellent IT competence, particularly in the use of spreadsheets, and the ability to drill down into computerised data to discover hidden information; • Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; • The ability to work under pressure and independently, as well as collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; • The applicant will particularly demonstrate suitability for a role that involves driving forward good governance, integrity and anti- corruption messages in the sensitive political and fragile financial, milieu of a small Overseas Territory. REMUNERATION Salary will be $60,000 per annum. LOCATION This position will be initially based in Grand Turk, for up to a 12 month period. There is the option, to be relocated to Providenciales, at the discretion of the Commission, at any time, during or after this period. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT FOR TCI INTEGRITY COMMISSION ORDINANCE The successful candidate who is appointed to this post will be required to file with the Governor, a Declaration of Income, Assets and Liabilities, pursuant to section 39 of the Integrity Commission Ordinance. APPLICATION PROCEDURE Applicants are requested to submit their CV together with an accompanying letter demonstrating why they would wish to work with the Commission and what particular attributes they would bring to its work. Certified copies of qualifications as well as the names and letters of two referees must be submitted with your application. Due to the Covid-19 safety precautions we kindly ask that all applications be submitted by email ONLY. For safety reason please do not send hard copies of your application to the Commission Offices. We thank you for your understanding.
The Deadline for the Submission of Applications is August 31, 2020 Please note that only applicants selected for an interview will be notified.
Applications should be returned to the Secretary, TCI Integrity Commission either by email, fax, or mail Direct mail should be addressed to Mrs. Wanda Ariza, Secretary, The Integrity Commission, Franklyn Missick Building, Church Folly, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands. The contact details are: e-mail: secretary@integritycommission.tc; or Info@integritycommission.tc ; Tel. 9461941; Fax. 9461355.
August 8-14, 2020
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
CLASSIFIEDS 35
INVEST TURKS AND CAICOS - VACANCY
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORTING TO: Board of Directors LOCATION: Invest Turks and Caicos Offices - Providenciales JOB SUMMARY: The Chief Executive Officer is the chief executive of Invest Turks and Caicos and is responsible for the success of the organization. Under the strategic direction of the Board of Directors, the CEO is expected to lead the implementation of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Government’s economic development vision, attract significant investments to the islands, oversee services for Micro, Small and Medium (MSME) businesses and support expanded sustainable development throughout the entire Turks and Caicos Islands. These investments will be expected to build a successful, sustainable economy and provide improved opportunities for employment and growth. As well, the Chief Executive Officer will be actively evaluating investment and related economic policies and advising Government how to improve the business climate and attractiveness of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Chief Executive is expected to be a strong leader who can develop a cohesive team within the organization and across TCI to drive new investment to the country. The CEO will ensure that the organization has motivated staff who produce positive results using best international practices. The position involves overseeing a staff of up to thirteen persons who are predominately highly trained investment professionals. The challenge is to build on the success of the Agency, communicate effectively with Government, and develop new policies and programs that attract and retain job-creating investments of all sizes and types. The successful candidate is expected to bring considerable international managerial or entrepreneurial experience to the position and be a communicator who is customer-focused and goaldriven. KEY OBJECTIVES: 1. To manage the day to day operations of Invest TCI through planning, organizing, coordinating, directing and controlling the functions of the Agency. This includes maintaining, modifying and implementing a rolling five-year Strategic Plan for the Agency, complete with annual marketing plans and budgets; monitoring financial and operational performance; and ensuring that the organization has a full complement of operating policies and procedures for both internal operations and for dealing with prospective investors and dailyoperations. 2. To facilitate and where necessary lead the approval of qualified investment from existing applicants and “shovel ready” projects. 3. To ensure the growth of an outstanding lead
generation system, along with a strong due diligence programme, a market intelligence capacity, investor outreach and network maintenance and enhancement using international bestpractices. 4. To ensure the effective, efficient and economic use of human, financial andphysical resources of the Agency. 5. To engage constructively with various government Ministries, other relevant organisations and agencies and the private sector, both locally and internationally to support quality investment projects and to market the country. 6. To generate significant foreign direct investment to the country. 7. To generate significant domestic investment through various small business programmes, including the MSME programme and financial assistance provided to the Centre for Entrepreneurial Development (CED). 8. To lead investment promotion and trade missions to various locations and conduct awareness marketing to raise the profile of TCI as an investment destination. 9. To develop and manage a programme of legislation review and reform for various developmental programmes that encourage Inward Investment and seek opportunities for expansion and extension of Investment potential though variousagreements. 10. To carry out any other related activities as deemed necessary by the Board as essential to the organisation. PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS: The preferred candidate should have a master’s degree in finance, business administration, economics or related field, plus preferably a certificate on Board management. EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE: Minimum of ten (10) or more years of senior management experience as a Vice-President or above at a private enterprise/company/agency engaged in investment development and/or investment/financing/marketing. The successful candidate will have proven skills in project finance, corporate development, and preferably involvement in a quasi-public role such as holding a senior position in a Chamber of Commerce, a National Economic advisory position, or as an industry association Director. Clear evidence of strong leadership skills, demonstrated management
skills, track record of successful lead generation and marketing along with a proven ability to mentor and grow staff. SKILLS: 1. Track record of excellence in current and previousemployment. 2. Demonstrably capable public speaker and presenter. 3. Proven skills in investment promotion, strategic planning, project management and execution, especially as related to development projects. 4. Understanding of budgetary procedures and operational budget development/ implementation. 5. Strong track record of leadership, sales success and investment facilitation/participation. 6. Strong track record of staff management and successful programme/projectimplementation. 7. Strong technical knowledge of project finance and financial legal structures. 8. Consistently displays integrity and model behavior. 9. Proven ability to motivate and develop teams/ people. 10. Strong writing and presentational skills. 11. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills- innovative, creative and forward thinking 12. Adept in use of MS Office, particularly PowerPoint, Excel and Word, internet and email. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: 1. Fluent in written and oral English 2. Understanding of social, economic, cultural and historical issues facing the TCI and Investors. 3. Commitment to travel by air, land and sea. 4. Willingness to work outside normal office hours. SALARY AND ALLOWANCES: Salary is in the range of $100,000 to $120,000, negotiable based on qualifications and experience. A standard set of benefits and allowances are additional. DEADLINE DATE FOR APPLICATIONS The deadline date for applications is August 31, 2020 Turks and Caicos time. APPLICATION PROCEDURE Interested persons should submit a resume, along with their contact information, cover letter, two letters of reference (one preferably from a former employer), copies of educational certificates, a Police Certificate and a copy of the Passport photo page.
Applications can be submitted by courier or delivered directly to Invest Turks and Caicos at Unit 2D, Courtyard Plaza, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, prior to the deadline. The application should be addressed to The Chairman - Invest Turks and Caicos and envelopes should have the words “Chief Executive Officer” clearly marked on the front. Alternatively, applications can be emailed to dastwood@investturksandcaicos.tc The subject line in the email should read “Chief Executive Officer”. We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only persons selected for an interview will be contacted.
36 CLASSIFIEDS PENTECOSTAL RESTORATION CENTER
#138 LOWER BIGHT ROAD, THE BIGHT Is seeking to employ a
LABOURER • General maintenance
of the church property. • Must be willing to work 6 days a week. Salary: $7.50 hourly
CONTACT:332-6592
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 2065
August 8-14, 2020
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
R&R ENTERPRISE
POSITION AVAILABLE
PRESSER
Magnolia Road, Long Bay Is seeking to employ a
• Minimum of 5 years experience in garment pressing with emphasis on specialty items; wedding gowns, cocktail dresses, drapes, suits etc. • Excellent finishing quality and efficiency is required. • Must be able to stand for long hours and manage hot working conditions. • Must be fluent in English and be a team worker. • All applicants will be required to demonstrate skills. • Pay is dependent on pieces pressed per hour, approx $12/hr. Qualified applicants should email CV to info@pioneertci. com or deliver to Pioneer office, #11 Village St, Grace Bay. Please fax/deliver copy to TCI Labour Office: 649-946-4164
22058
PAMPERED PAWS 61 Gumbo Limbo, Discovery Bay, Providenciales
DOG GROOMER - - - -
Must have written evidence of 3 years grooming experience for all breeds Must have written evidence of animal behavioral background Must have experience with Quickbooks Heavy lifting and daily cleaning routines required which include feces pick up and able to manually remove external parasites from tick infected animals. - Must have own transportation and willing to transport animals in vehicle. - Must be available to work 6 days per week - Starting Wage is $7 per hour based on experience.
DOG TRAINER - - - -
Must have 5 years experience obedience training- written evidence is required Must be qualified to conduct group and private classes Heavy Lifting and a flexible schedule is required Must be willing to work 6 days per week Understanding and willingness to utilize sanitary regulations in accordance to kennel licensing requirements - Must have experience with QuickBooks - Must have own transportation and willing to transport animals in vehicle. - Starting hourly wage is $7 per hour.
LABOURER - Experience is essential. No less then a minimum of 5 years consecutive and verifiable experience in grooming and animal behavior will be accepted, references will be required - Experience in Quickbooks - Must be able to read write and speak the English language - Must be able to start work at 6am - Must be able to bath dogs in preparation for grooming, including comb outs, brush outs, stripping, detangling, de-matting and clipping - Must be able to de-tick manually and use chemicals safely and responsibly - Cleaning of animals quarters outside and inside bathing and grooming areas, including feces pick up on a hourly basis - HEAVY LIFTING REQUIRED - Must have own transport and willing to transport animals in vehicle - Hourly rate is $7 and is based on experience. All positions are currently held by work permit holders. Belongers are encouraged to send their resume to labor department and Pampered Paws Only qualified persons will be interviewed
Please contact 431-1119 or sharwind2002@yahoo.com
222067
ROOFER
(Standing Seam Metal) Building roofs, installing standing seam metal and other materials. Salary: $2,500 monthly
CONTACT: 243-1320 OR 243-7156 Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is for renewal of work permit
20088
RUBIN AUGUSTE Missick Yard, The Bight Is seeking to employ a
DOMESTIC WORKER
Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. Salary: $6.25 hourly
CONTACT: 347-9970
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 22083
SAMANTHA’S CONSTRUCTION
125 RUBY HILL, FIVE CAYS, PROVIDENCIALES
Is seeking 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. • 6 days a week. Salary: $8 hourly
CONTACT: 242-0952
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 22090
NOTICE OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION MEETING DRAFT EIA ROCK HOUSE JETTY AND BEACH ENHANCEMENT PROJECT BLUE MOUNTAIN, PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS The DRAFT Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA") for Grace Bay Resorts Ltd. Planning Application reference number PR.14207 for the Rock House Jetty and Beach Enhancement Project - 60702/66-67 & 60703/80, One International Drive, Blue Mountain, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands which has been submitted in accordance with Section 44 (1) b of the Physical Planning Ordinance and condition 7 of the Grant of Outline Development Permission dated June 28, 2019, has been finalized and is available online for public review at the following: Rock House Jetty EIA Cover Page - https://online.fliphtml5.com/pejq/znov/ EIA Cover Letter Rock House Jetty EIS Final Report - https://online.fliphtml5. com/pejq/hcpe/ Rock House Jetty EIA Table of Contents - https://online.fliphtml5.com/pejq/ ecvf/ Rock House Jetty Draft EIS Report - https://online.fliphtml5.com/pejq/ahzp/ Hard copies of the EIA Draft Report are also available at the Department of Planning offices in Providenciales and Grand Turk for public review. Comments on the Draft EIA report can be sent to the Department of Planning at planningconsultation@gov.tc or to the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales or at South Base, Grand Turk by August 22, 2020. A public consultation meeting on the Draft EIA will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at the Department of Planning, Providenciales at 5:00 p.m.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!
THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS
August 8-14, 2020
SAMUEL LOTIS HARVEY
UNIT #13 SAM’S BUILDING, DOWNTOWN Is seeking to employ a
LABOURER
• 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: $6.25 hourly
CONTACT: 231-0098
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 220068
CLASSIFIEDS 37
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
SANDS CONSTRUCTION #24 A Line Avenue, Blue Hills. Is seeking
4 CARPENTERS $14.00 PER HOUR Build walls and install partitions.
2 CARPENTER
Assist plumber.
2 LABOURERS - $7.00 PER HOUR Mixing concrete.
2 MASONS - $10 HOURLY
HELPER-$9.00 PER HOUR
Repairs and maintains building, laying bricks.
2 PLUMBERS - $14.00 PER HOUR
Laying out and fabricating structural steel.
Cut timber or lumber.
Assemble pipe sections.
2 PLUMBER HELPER $9.00 PER HOUR
STEELMAN - $10 HOURLY STEEL HELPER - $9 HOURLY Assist steel man in laying out sheet metal.
CONTACT: 333-5559
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board
SMART CONSTRUCTION
SELMA STORM
#12 ARTHURS LANE, LEEWARD PALMS Is seeking to employ a
220063
Estate Manager SANCTUARY LTD
The Sanctuary, a 12-bedroom rental villa located in the private island of Parrot Cay, is looking for an Estate Manager. Employee would be required to wear “several hats” and to understand that the standard work hours and weeks do not apply to this position; Employee is expected to work on weekends and holidays as needed and to be on call at all times. Employee must be willing to live on site full time especially when the property is occupied and during extreme weather threats • in charge of the upkeep and day-to-day running of multiple properties for employer • responsibility for management, supervision and training of maintenance, landscaping, and housekeeping team on the estate • responsibility for finances and accounting – overseeing and monitoring household bank account(s), maintaining accurate records and accounts as required and reporting as agreed, responsibly use resources and control expenses to operate within budgetary controls, payroll • carrying out tasks as human resources, purchasing and receiving agent including overseeing all ordering, shipping and inventory of supplies • working with private chef on menu plan and estimate food cost analysis • overseeing major renovation, design and land altering projects, in addition as requested act as liaison between employer and contractors • overseeing health and safety requirements for the estate • overseeing hurricane preparedness QUALIFICATIONS
• Minimum ten (10) years experience as a private estate or property manager with high end resorts, properties or other private homes • Experience with celebrity clients • Posses a thorough understanding of all areas of private home management and supervision of design, construction and major renovation • Ability to monitor and manage household budget and finances • Able to work well in stressful and high-pressure situations • Computer literate (Excel and QuickBook is a must) • Able to operate Crestron & Sonos systems • Have F&B and butler service knowledge • Able to supervise day to day operations and setup yearly maintenance schedules • Willing to travel on last minute notice • Able to liaise with worldwide FBOs and jet charter and make travel arrangements • Able to work well independently and in a team environment. • Ability to train and supervise staff. • Willing to sign confidentiality agreement and undergo extensive background (including drug) checks Starting salary $60,000 per annum THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER. Preference will be given to Turks & Caicos Islanders meeting the foregoing applications.
Please send resume with references to turksandcaicosjob@gmail.com on or before August 8th, 2020
Granny Hill, Five Cays Is seeking to employ a
DOMESTIC WORKER
Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. Salary: $275 weekly Contact: 431-2093 Email: selmastorm@yahoo.com
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 21981
SUSAN MUSGROVE #8TROPICANA ROAD PROVIDENCIALES
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: $8 hourly
CONTACT: 346-1550
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 22070
LABOURER
Cleaning yard weeding cutting grass etc. $6.25 hour, 5days per week. Renewal
TELE 244 9543
20087
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!
THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DEADLINE - 31 AUGUST 2020
COMMISSIONER Area: Board of Commissioners Location: Meetings in Turks and Caicos Islands and Virtually Frequency: Board meetings are generally held six times per year Information on the Commission and its Board can be found at https://tcifsc.tc/ His Excellency the Governor is seeking to appoint two Commissioners with skills in the following areas i) regulatory innovation, FinTech and related issues, ii) managing money laundering and terrorist financing risk, iii) macroprudential supervision, iv) corporate registries, and v) human resources development. Experience in an international financial centre will be an advantage. The ideal candidate is a Turks and Caicos Islander with private sector and regulatory experience, and expertise in more than one of the areas of interest; however, all eligible candidates should indicate their interest. Individuals that are regulated or related to entities that are regulated by the Commission will not be considered.
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE APPLICATION DEADLINE – 14 AUGUST 2020
Department: Finance Location: Providenciales Annual Salary: $73,185.00 - $83,640.00 Information on this position is available on the Commission’s website at https:// tcifsc.tc/vacancies/ or by contacting the Commission at telephone numbers 649-946-2550 or 649-946-2791 ext. 4002 or 4021. Expressions of interest should be emailed to administration@tcifsc.tc by the relevant deadline date. A copy of the application for the Director of Finance position should be submitted to the Employment Services Department by emailing to CHbacchus@gov.tc and MCadams@gov.tc.
38 CLASSIFIEDS
August 8-14, 2020
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
HELP WANTED
WALKER CONSTRUCTION Regent House, Suite F206, Regent Village, Grace Bay Is seeking to employ a
TIBOR’S MACHINE SHOP LTD.
22 Cooper Jack Bay Rd, Industrial Park, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands BWI is looking to fill the following positions
WELDER HELPER
- Assist lead welders in performing welding, brazing, thermal, and arc cutting operations - Use hoists, wrenches, and hammers to lift, move, and clamp work materials into position or onto tables - Oversee the scheduled maintenance of welding and fitting equipment to ensure they are operational - Evaluate workpieces to ensure they are free of defect and conform to set specs - Cleans work pieces to remove impurities, such as slag, rust and grease using hand tools such as wire brush, portable grinder, hand scraper or chemical solutions to ensure smooth surface. - Connect hand torches to fuel gas cylinders or electric power source - Maintain good knowledge of welding techniques and processes - Read and interpret blueprints for a welding project. - Experienced in SMAW / GMAW / GTAW & oxyfuel welding / cutting - Must have a valid trade specific certification Wage: $6.25 per hr.
MOULD MAKER/ MACHINIST
- Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments. - Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. - Fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, shop mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures. - Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, and engineering information to determine methods and sequences of operations needed to fabricate products and determine product dimensions and tolerances. - Observe and listen to operating machines or equipment to diagnose machine malfunctions and to determine need for adjustments or repairs. - Remain in a standing position for extended periods of time. - Must have a valid trade specific certification with at least 5 years working experience. Wage: $9 per hr.
CERTIFIED WELDER
- Lay out, fit, and fabricate metal components to assemble structural forms using knowledge of welding techniques, metallurgy and engineering
- - - - - -
components Operates drill presses, power saws, grinders, metal lathes and a variety of welding equipment and hand tools Analyze sample parts, blueprints, engineering drawings and specifications to plan welding operations Remain in a standing position for extended periods of time. Experienced in SMAW / GMAW / GTAW & oxyfuel welding / cutting Must have a valid trade specific certification with at least 5 years working experience. Wage: $8.00 per hr.
GAS PLANT OPERATOR - maintain/operate/gas plants - make repairs on gas plants - minor electrical building repairs/set up - assist owner in building repairs Wage- $9.50 per hr.
MECHANIC
- Must be able to diagnose mechanic related problems - Must have theoretical knowledge and practical experience of complete brakes, gasoline and diesel engines, automatic and manual transmissions, steering and suspension components, exhaust and basic electrical. - Maintain company vehicles, equipment, various machinery & make necessary repairs - Have experience in welding and perform welding tasks - Must have a valid trade specific certification with at least 5 years working experience. Wage: $10.00 per hr.
INDUSTRIAL PAINTER
- Work with various hazardous coatings including epoxies, urethanes, solvents - Safely apply hazardous coatings and storage - Utilize/assemble, maintain, and clean a variety of painting materials, tools, and equipment including compressors, sprayers, sanders, and cleaning equipment - Experienced with CARC coating and HVLP guns - Construct and move scaffolding, ladders, and platforms. - Estimate time, materials, and equipment required for jobs assigned - Understand painting climates - Experienced in different installation procedures Wage: $10.00 per hr.
INTERESTED APPLICANTS CAN CONTACT 941-5802/ EMAIL YOUR RESUME TO ANCHA@ TIBORSMACHINESHOP.COM, OR SEND RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD. POSITIONS FOR NEW WORK PERMIT HOLDERS; BELONGERS NEED ONLY APPLY
MASON HELPER Helping mason
Salary: $700 bi-weekly
CONTACT: 231-0360
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 22066
TAMERA E. HOWELL ROBINSON 478 Bay Road, Blue Hills, Providenciales
CAREGIVER/ DOMESTIC WORKER
Duties: clean, iron Must be willing to work 5 ½ days. Salary $6.25 per hour
CONTACT: 649-331-8376 This position is for work permit renewal Belongers are encouraged to submit a copy of their resume to the Labor Department
22074
VANS TIRE SHOP
Building 381, Industrial Drive, Five Cays Is seeking to employ a
CARPENTER Follow blueprints and building plans to meet the needs of clients. Install structures and fixtures, such as windows and molding. Measure, cut, or shape wood, plastic, and other materials. Salary: $10 hourly
CONTACT: 232-7177
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position
22091
TANYA WILLIAMS
59 JUBA POINT CIRCLE PROVIDENCIALES Turks and Caicos Islands Contact: 241-6796 or kingsworld23@gmail.com
VACANCIES Acting on behalf of
ERB CONSTRUCTION 4B Blue Hills CL., Provo
PLUMBERS - $10-$12 HOURLY
Fill pipes or plumbing textures.
CONSTRUCTION LABOURERS - $6.25-$8 HOURLY
HOUSEKEEPER Duties: Basic house cleaning and babysitting. Salary: $6.50 Work Schedule: Monday – Friday
POSITION: RENEWAL WORK PERMIT 22106
CAMERON COALBROOKE
MOORE’S LANE, OVERBACK, GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a
CARETAKER/ DOMESTIC WORKER
• To take care of a 6-yearold child also give meals, bathe and dress them. • Must be willing to work 5 days per week Salary: $6.50 per hour
CONTACT: 242-2420
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 22094
Assist mason, carpenter, clean, left heavy items, etc. Contact: 649-331-1067 PAT CONSTRUCTION 576 Blue Hills LABOURER - $6.25 HOURLY
Clean yard, lift heavy items, etc. Contact: 649-347-2093 Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board. Renewal work permit 22095
ALLISON CAPRON 20 SUN BURST ROAD, RICHMOND HILL Is seeking to employ a
LIVE-IN 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: 241-6698
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board A work permit holder currently holds this position 22092
August 8-14, 2020
39
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Science & Technology
Obesity not defined by weight, says new Canada guideline OBESITY should be defined by a person’s health - not just their weight, says a new Canadian clinical guideline. It also advises doctors to go beyond simply recommending diet and exercise. Instead, they should focus on the root causes of weight gain and take a holistic approach to health. The guideline, which was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on Tuesday, specifically admonished weight-related stigma against patients in the health system. “The dominant cultural narrative regarding obesity fuels assumptions about personal irresponsibility and lack of willpower and casts blame and shame upon people living with obesity,” the guideline, which is intended to be used by primary care physicians in diagnosing and treating obesity in their daily practice, states.
The guideline specifically admonished weight-related stigma against patients in the health system.
Ximena Ramos-Salas, the director of research and policy at Obesity Canada and one of the guideline’s authors, said research shows many doctors discriminate against obese patients, and that can lead to worse health outcomes irrespective of their weight. “Weight bias is not just about believing the wrong
thing about obesity,” she told the BBC. “Weight bias actually has an effect on the behaviour of healthcare practitioners.” The rate of obesity has tripled over the past three decades in Canada, and now about one in four Canadians is obese according to Statistics Canada. The guideline had not
been updated since 2006. The new version was funded by Obesity Canada, the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research through a Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research grant. Although the latest advice still recommends using diagnostic criteria like the body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, it acknowledges their clinical limitations and says doctors should focus more on how weight impacts a person’s health. Small reductions in weight, of about 3-5%, can lead to health improvements and an obese person’s “best weight” might not be their “ideal weight” according to BMI, the guideline says. It emphasises that obesity is a complex, chronic condition that needs lifelong management.
“For a long time we’ve associated obesity as a lifestyle behaviour... It’s been a lot of shame and blame before,” Ms RamosSalas says. “People living with obesity need support like people living with any other chronic disease.” But instead of simply
Y-A-3B
VALERIE J. CHARLES
Acting on behalf of
Palm Grove, Grand Turk
TEN & SANCHEZ LTD
DOMESTIC WORKER
#12 Bronze Lane, Long Bay 341-4752
LABOURER - $7 HOURLY
Minor maintenance and cleaning
CHERRY’S FAST FOOD RESTAURANT
#1 Phase 2, Blue Hills
WAITRESS - $6.25 HOURLY
Serve orders
BAKER - $9 HOURLY
Bake desserts and breads 341-1380
DESTINY BOUTIQUE
#6 Morris Plaza, Airport Road
SHOP ATTENDANT - $7 HOURLY
Serve customers. 342-1450
Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board. Renewals
22161
JAIDEV GANGLANI
Richmond Hills, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a
JOSEPH AGENOR
11 Mark Cl., Cooper Jack. Is seeking to employ a
PAINTER - $8 HOURLY
Apply paints, stains, and coatings to interior and exterior walls, new buildings, homes, offices and other structural surfaces.
MAID
Taking care of kids. Prepar Indian cuisine. Salary: $6.25 hourly
CONTACT: 241-6920
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board A work permit holder currently holds this position 22096
CARPENTER - $8 HOURLY
HELPER
cleaning yard weeding trimming etc. $6.25 hour. 5 days. Renewal
TEL 346 T5152
Address: #176 millennium highway blue hill 22110
A&J GROCERIES & SUPPLIES The Bight, Leeward Highway Is seeking to employ a
LABOURER
• Stocking and supplying designated facility areas, dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, cleaning ceiling vents, restroom cleaning etc. Stocking and packing items. • To work 6 days a week. Salary: $6.25 hourly
CONTACT: 344-6639
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 22093
S&G CONTRACTING
Follow blueprints and building plans to meet the needs of clients. Install structures and fixtures, such as windows and molding. Measure, cut, or shape wood, plastic, and other materials
Contact: 333-1199
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position 22098
WARD’S CONSULTANCY acting on behalf of our client
SOUTHWIND MILLWORK
#6 Industrial park Rd, Contact 946-5700
FINISH CARPENTER $11.00 P/H
Install structures and fixtures
COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION
#53, P. O. Box 68, Blue Mountain, Providenciales, Contact 231-0337
CARPENTER HELPER/
MASON - $300.00 P/H
Help to install structures and fixtures. Layering building materials.
STEEL UNLIMITED
Mary Jane, Blue Hills, Contact 341-4502
CARPENTER - $8.00 P/H Install structures and fixtures.
PHARAH MIDI
8# Stammers Run
Millennium Highway, Providenciales
LABOURER - $6.25P/H
keep of the surrounding of the property. Contact 3410690
READY TO GO
#2 Parade Ave. Butterfield Sq. Provo Contact -941-4575
LABOURER $9.50 P/H
cleaning and preparing a job site.
Belonger are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the labour board. These position is currently held by work permit holder
advising patients to “eat less, move more”, the guideline encourages doctors to provide supports along the lines of psychological therapy, medication and bariatric surgery like gastricbypass surgery. The guideline doesn’t completely do away with standard weight-loss advice.
GIGI’S DELI/ GREGORY WILLIAMS International Airport, Airport Road, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a
SALES CLERK
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 and that there is adequate change. Salary: $6.50 hourly
CONTACT: 232-9681
Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board A work permit holder currently holds this position 22100
Duties: Regular housekeeping Which includes Cleaning mopping Dusting, sweeping and Assisting with cooking and any other chores. Salary: $6.50 per hour.
CONTACT: 231-7034
Belongers are encouraged to Send a copy of their resume To the Labour Board. This Position is currently held by a work permit holder. 22155
EVAN WILLIAMS
Conch Bar, Middle Caicos Is seeking to employ a
CHURCH MUSICIAN
Perform for the church during services and events. Salary: $6.25 hourly
CONTACT: 245-5266
Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position
22108
DJ’S VARIETY STORE AND BAKERY SOUTH BACK SALINA, GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a
ASSISTANT BAKER Baking breads and pastries and assisting baker. Salary: $7 hourly. CONTACT: 242-0718 Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. A work permit holder currently holds this position
22099
40
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
August 8-14, 2020
Sports Interational
Friedkin’s net worth is valued at more than $4 billion by Forbes.
American billionaire agrees deal to buy Italian football giant AS Roma LeBron James kneeled alongside his LA Lakers team-mates.
LeBron James: Donald Trump no loss to NBA LOS Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James says that basketball will not miss Donald Trump after the US president said he turns off games featuring social justice protests. Trump has accused players of “disrespect” by taking a knee during the national anthem. “I really don’t think the basketball community are sad about losing his viewership,” said James. “I can speak for all of us who love the game and we could [not] care less.” Four-time NBA most valuable
player James, who is fronting a campaign in the run-up to November’s presidential election to protect African-American voting rights, said that the sport’s fans appreciated the players’ stand on social and political issues. “Our game is in a beautiful position and we’ve got fans all over the world,” James added. “Our fans love and respect what we try to bring to the game, what’s right and what’s wrong.” It is not the first time that James has criticised President Trump. James called Trump a “bum” and
referred to him as a “so-called president” in 2017. Trump in turn has suggested he prefers Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan as a player. The vast majority of NBA players and staff have chosen to kneel during the playing of the pregame national anthem in protest at racial injustice. President Trump has said that the gesture “is not acceptable to me”. Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers, who wore a cap with the slogan ‘Vote’ during Wednesday’s action, echoed James’ sentiments.
US BILLIONAIRE Dan Friedkin has agreed a deal to purchase AS Roma, the Italian soccer giant confirmed on Thursday. The Serie A side said formal contracts with Friedkin’s consortium were signed on Wednesday, in a deal worth 591 million euros ($700m). The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of August. Friedkin is the owner of Gulf States Toyota, a franchise distributor that sells Toyotas in a number of southern US states. His net worth is estimated at $4.1 billion by Forbes. He will replace James Pallotta, an American businessman who took over the club in 2011 but has failed to return it to the summit of Italian football. The side has not won a league title since 2001, finishing as runners-up nine times during that span. The team has missed out on qualification for the Champions
League in each of the last two seasons. “Over the last month, Dan and Ryan Friedkin have demonstrated their total commitment to finalizing this deal and taking the club forward in a positive way. I am sure they will be great future owners for AS Roma,” Pallotta said in a statement Thursday. Friedkin inherited his Toyota distributor from his father, Thomas H. Friedkin. The business has exclusive rights to sell Toyota vehicles in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma. His consortium, The Friedkin Group, also owns the Imperative Entertainment studio, aerial cinematography company Pursuit Aviation, and the newly created production company NEON, which was involved in producing or distributing movies including “I, Tonya,” “Apollo 11” and “Parasite.”
Tour of Poland crash: Fabio Jakobsen has facial surgery while in coma DUTCH rider Fabio Jakobsen has had facial surgery and doctors were expected to attempt to wake him from a coma late on Thursday, says his Deceuninck-QuickStep team. Jakobsen remains stable, having been taken to hospital on Wednesday following a high-speed crash on stage one of the Tour of Poland. Dylan Groenewegen drifted across the road before he and compatriot Jakobsen collided close to the finish line. Jakobsen, 23, hit the barriers before striking an official stood by the line. “His condition is very severe. There is a danger to his life,” said race doctor Barbara Jerschina on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately, it is quite a serious injury to the head and brain. He has lost a lot of blood. He is very strong. I hope he will survive.” Deceuninck-QuickStep said on Wednesday that initial tests “didn’t reveal brain or spinal injury”. “Fabio Jakobsen’s situation is serious but at the moment he is stable,” read a team statement. “Because of the gravity of his multiple injuries, he is still kept in a comatose condition and has to remain closely monitored in the following days.” Jumbo-Visma sprinter Groenewegen, who was named as the stage winner before being disqualified, and several other riders also fell after crossing the line.
The crash caused several injuries
Jerschina said the race official struck in the incident suffered head and spinal injuries but was speaking when he was taken to
hospital. Cycling’s governing body UCI said it “strongly condemns the dangerous behaviour of
Groenewegen”. A statement read: “The UCI, which considers the behaviour unacceptable, immediately referred the matter to the disciplinary commission to request the imposition of sanctions commensurate with the seriousness of the facts.” Jumbo-Visma said: “Our thoughts go out to Fabio Jakobsen and other people involved in today’s terrible crash in the Tour of Poland - crashes like these should not happen. “We offer our sincere apologies and we will discuss internally what has happened before we may make any further statement.” The podium ceremony was cancelled and the results of the 195.8km stage from Stadion Slaski have not been released. (BBC)
August 8-14, 2020
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Science & Technology
41
Sperm actually move like a spinning top.
A hallmark of AFM is limb weakness and paralysis that set in after a common cold seems to clear up.
CDC warns of possible increase in rare polio-like syndrome this fall, urges parents to be on lookout ANTI-CORONAVIRUS efforts could help reduce other infections as well, including a rare, polio-like illness that strikes children and is due for a periodic resurgence this fall. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged parents and caregivers on Tuesday to be on the lookout for strange symptoms after what first manifests as a common cold. Since the first cases of acute flaccid myelitis were recorded in 2014, hundreds of children have been afflicted. A hallmark of AFM is limb weakness and paralysis that set in after a common cold seems to clear up, the CDC said. In 2018, 54% of the 238 recorded patients spent time in intensive care, and one out of four needed to be put on ventilators, the CDC said in a media release Tuesday. Cases seem to spike every other year, making a 2020 uptick likely. Kids reported “striking headache, and neck and back pain” just before limb weakness set in, Dr. Janell Routh, the AFM team lead in the CDC’s Division of Viral Diseases, told NBC News. If not treated as soon as symptoms appear, the potentially life-threatening neurologic condition can cause permanent paralysis, the CDC warned. “AFM is a medical emergency and patients must be hospitalized and monitored in case they progress to respiratory failure,” the CDC said on its website. “Prompt
recognition and immediate action by pediatricians, and emergency department and urgent care providers, are critical to achieving the best possible outcomes.” “We are concerned that in the midst of a COVID pandemic, that cases might not be recognized,” Dr. Thomas Clark, a CDC official overseeing AFM surveillance, told the Associated Press. “Or we’re concerned that parents might be worried about taking their child to the doctors with something as serious as limb weakness.” Enteroviruses, particularly EVD68, are suspected as the most likely culprits. And in that sense the coronavirus crisis could aid in prevention there too, health experts said, since those viruses are spread the same way. “With all of the social distancing measures, mask wearing and improved hand hygiene, I hope that will really decrease enterovirus circulation,” Routh said. “As we head into these critical next months, CDC is taking necessary steps to help clinicians better recognize signs and symptoms of AFM in children,” CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield said in the agency’s statement. “Recognition and early diagnosis are critical. CDC and public health partners have strengthened early disease detection systems, a vital step toward rapid treatment and rehabilitation for children with AFM.” (NYDailynews)
Sperm fooled scientists for 350 years – they spin not swim SPERM is critical for the fertilisation of almost every living organism on our planet, including humans. To reproduce, human sperm have to swim a distance equivalent to climbing Mount Everest to find the egg. They complete this epic journey simply by wiggling their tail, moving fluid to swim forwards. Though over 50 million sperm will fail to reach the egg – the equivalent to more than six times the entire population of London or New York – it only takes one single sperm in order to fertilise an egg that will eventually become a human being. Sperm was first discovered in 1677 – but it took roughly 200 years before scientists agreed on how humans are actually formed. The “preformationists” believed that each spermatozoa contained a tiny, miniaturised human – the homunculus. They believed that the egg simply provided a place for the sperm to grow. On the other hand, the “epigenesists” argued that both males and females contributed to form a new being, and discoveries in the 1700s showed more evidence for this theory. Though scientists now better understand the role that sperm plays in reproduction, our latest research has discovered that sperm have actually been fooling scientists this whole time. One of the first microscopes was developed in the 17th century by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. He used a blob of molten glass that he carefully ground and polished to create a powerful lens. Some of them could magnify an object 270 times. Remarkably, a better lens was not created for over 200 years. Leeuwenhoek’s lenses made him the first explorer of the microscopic world, able to see objects including bacteria, the inside of our cells – and sperm. When Leeuwenhoek first discovered sperm, he described
it as a “living animalcule” with a “tail, which, when swimming, lashes with a snakelike movement, like eels in water”. Strikingly, our perception of how sperm swims hasn’t change since. Anyone using a modern microscope today still makes the very same observation: sperm swim forward by wiggling their tail from side-to-side. But as our latest research shows, we’ve actually been wrong about how sperm swim for the last 350 years. Using state-of-the-art 3D microscopy technology, our team of researchers from the UK and Mexico, were able to mathematically reconstruct the rapid movement of the sperm tail in 3D. Not only does sperm’s size make them difficult to study – its tail only measures half a hair’s breadth – they’re also fast. Their tail’s whip-like movement is capable of beating over than 20 swimming-strokes in less than one second. We needed a superfast camera capable of recording over 55,000 pictures in one second mounted in a fast oscillating stage to move the sample up and down at an incredibly high rate – effectively scanning the sperm tail while swimming freely in 3D. What we found surprised us. We discovered that the sperm tail is in fact wonky and only wiggles on one side. While this should mean the sperm’s one-sided stroke would have it swimming in circles, sperm have found a clever way to adapt and swim forwards: they roll as they swim, much like the way otters corkscrew through water. In this way, the wonky one-sided stroke evens out as sperm rolls allowing it to move forwards. The sperm’s rapid and highly synchronised spinning causes an illusion when seen from above with 2D microscopes - the tail appears
to have a side-to-side movement. However, this discovery shows that sperm have developed a swimming technique to compensate for their lop-sidedness. In doing so they have also ingeniously solved a mathematical puzzle: by creating symmetry out of asymmetry. The sperm body spins at the same time that the tail rotates around the swimming direction. Sperm “drills” into the fluid like a spinning top by rotating around itself whilst its tilted axis rotates around the centre. This is known in physics as precession, much like the precession of the equinoxes in our planet. Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) systems, in use today, both in clinics and for research, still use 2D views of the sperm’s movement. Like Leeuwenhoek’s first microscope, they are still prone to this illusion of symmetry while assessing semen quality. Symmetry (or the lack of it) is one identifying trait that may impact fertility. The scientific tale of the sperm tail follows the route of every other area of research: advances in understanding sperm movement are highly dependent upon the development of technologies in microscopy, recording and, now, mathematical modelling and data analysis. The 3D microscopy technology developed today will almost certainly change the way we analyse semen in future. This latest discovery, with its novel use of 3D microscope technology combined with mathematics, may provide fresh hope for unlocking the secrets of human reproduction. With over half of infertility caused by male factors, understanding the human sperm tail is fundamental for future diagnostic tools for identifying unhealthy sperm, and improving fertility. (The Conversation.com)
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Sports National
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
August 8-14, 2020
The youngsters had fun on land and in the boats.
Second Sailing Camp dubbed a success Akia Guerrier is looking forward to giving it her all once the new season starts.
THE first Sailing Camp of August and the second overall for the summer organised by the Provo Sailing Academy has been dubbed a success. The ‘fun camp’, which ran from Monday to Friday this week, taught the participants the fundamentals
of sailing. President of the academy, Bex Reaston Brown noted that although the children had fun, they were still able to learn how to rig, derig, tack and capsize drills in Hobie and Pico this week.
Guerrier ready to explode in final year NATIONAL athlete Akia Guerrier will look to make up lost time when she takes to the track again for the Kansas State University. The 21-year-old, who left TCI late last month for the US, is preparing for the re-start of school on August 17. Even though she was without ample amounts of activities over the last four months in the TCI, the national outdoor 100M record holder says that she is upbeat and ready to prove herself in her final year. INJURY FREE In spite of the restrictions that sports faced during the lockdown period, having the extra rest helped the track star. “We’ve all been given another year to maximise potential and make the most of this time of rest. I plan to take complete advantage of it.”
The Organizational Management major, who had helped K-State to relay gold at the Winter Invitational, en route to championship honours last year, had one objective when this year started, and that was to stay injury free. “My aim in 2020 is to get better and stronger, injuryfree. Whenever I start to see progress, something always happens. I pray that doesn’t happen this year,” the sprinter had stated. Despite the accomplishments last year, she had a strenuous season and had to deal with medial tibial stress syndrome. “[I’ve been given] another year to be stronger, better, faster.” Guerrier, who is one of the better female sprinters in the TCI, will look to focus on the 100M and 200M sprints next season. Our future sailors learnt several key techniques on the water.
There are two more weeks of the sailing camp left. Weekly Sailing Camps run from Monday - Friday between 9am 3pm. The events targets youngsters between the ages of 6-16 and no experience is necessary, so beginners are welcome.
August 8-14, 2020
Sports National
43
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Forbes scores first goal for new club Austin Bold NATIONAL football captain Billy Forbes was able to score his first goal for new club, Austin Bold— and he did it against his former team San Antonio FC at the Bold Stadium in Austin in a United Soccer League clash. The 29-year-old told the Weekly News after the game on Saturday evening, that he was elated to get on the score sheet. “It feels great to finally score…I wanted to score against them [San
Antonio FC].” Forbes’s team however, could not get past the visiting San Antonio FC side and suffered their second loss (2-4) in as many games.
Billy Forbes delivers a sweetly placed left foot shot which went on to beat the keeper.
COVID-19 According to information from the media in Austin, Texas, five Austin Bold players were sidelined with Covid-19 in July, which resulted in the club coming up short against the visiting side last Saturday.
Forbes, who played for San Antonio FC in 2017 and again in 2019, was able to score from a set piece in the 36th minute. The Bold’s Xavier Baez found Forbes on a run into the 6-yard
box, and the Turks Islander made no mistakes in redirecting the ball into the left side of the net with his left foot. The prolific scorer had another shot on goal, but it was well saved
by the visiting keeper. Austin Bold are hoping to bounce back this Saturday against Rio Grande Valley FC. They are hoping to be at full strength or close to full strength.
Unlike previous camps, this one will focus more on individual development.
Strict Covid-19 safety protocols in place for upcoming basketball camps THE TURKS and Caicos Islands Basketball Federation has placed safety as its number one priority leading up to basketball camps across the TCI. President of the TCIBF Sydwell Glasgow told the Weekly News that systems are in place to deliver safe camps later this month. “Strict Covid-19 safety protocols
developed by the federation will be in place. “Camps with be in small numbers; each small group will be attended to by administrators, volunteers and local coaches to ensure the safety of the players.” The camps, which are being run in conjunction with the TCI Sports Commission, will see young players from the ages of
8-16 learn several fundamental skills, including layups, shooting, rebounding, passing, dribbling and ball handling. Glasgow added that although basketball is a team game, the camps will focus on individuals. “They will learn the basic skills and drills that will enhance their development, with strict focus on
social distancing. We will have as much individual drills as possible.” The administrator, noted that there will be about 10 players per station, but each participants would be given their own basketball during the sessions. “The directors and coaches will concentrate mainly on individual skill development, rather than team
play.” Camps will be held in Grand Turk and South Caicos from August 17-21 and Providenciales from August 24-27. Sessions will start at 8:30h and run until 12:30h. Persons interested in taking part can uplift forms from their respective islands.
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
August 8-14, 2020