Drive-in theatre among other high value projects approved by Cabinet

An unnamed individual has applied for and been granted approval by the government for the development of a drive-in theatre.

At the May 24 Cabinet meeting, the approval was given for the licensee to develop the entertainment facility at Parcel 10101/24.

Not much detail is known currently about the proposed facility.

Meanwhile, the mental health and substance abuse department is getting a name change to one that is more inclusive. It will now be known as the Department of Behavioural Health Services.

Caicos Express Airways has been granted a one-year airline subsidy by the government to engage in airlift services to Salt Cay and South Caicos from Grand Turk, effective May 30, 2023May 30, 2024.

Cabinet also approved various high value projects, among them; purchase of vehicle for FIA, financial crimes unit and the informal settlement unit; CCTV for Police; consultancy services for TCI public service pay and grading review; consultancy services for tourism carrying capacity study; technical support for phases 1 and 2 of the south dock port redevelopment; consultancy to design south dock fuel discharge mooring for the south dock port redevelopment; consultancy services for the preparation of design and costs for phases 3 and 4 of the south dock port redevelopment and the resubmission of three phase power of the border force improvement project.

Approval was also given for the rental of the Diaspora Office in Nassau, Bahamas by accepting the signing of a three-year lease with FINCEN LIMITED.

Notably, the Minister of

Finance has been given the go ahead to waive accommodation tax payable by guests attending the 45th Regional Conference of the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to be hosted in the Turks and Caicos Islands July 21 to 28.

Cabinet also approved amendments to the Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Taxation Ordinance subject to industry consultation; and has approved with various considerations an MOU with GT Onshore Development Ltd. for a cruise ship tendering development and tourist accommodations on Grand Turk and Salt Cay.

Approval was given for the amendments to the National Investment Policy 2016, and for a request for a Development/Order for Development Concessions for Provo Water Company Ltd (PWCo).

Members discussed environmental concerns regarding dredging in the Leeward Marina and along Grace Bay and next steps to develop a plan to mitigate any environmental concerns and damage.

They also approved a Sand Mining licence for the Strand, applications for Class A Processing and Export Licence to Caicos Seafood Ltd, Caicos Fisheries Ltd and Provo Seafood; the Immigration Regulations 12 and Schedule 7 for Permanent Residence Permit Fees for public consultation; amendments to the Airports Authority Ordinance to facilitate Modern Development Initiatives; and proposals to introduce the regulation of Haitian cargo vessels under the provisions of the Code of Safety for Caribbean Cargo Ships.

The Cabinet has noted the order of the Supreme Court for the award of taxation of cost to a named individual and agreed next steps.

Approval was given, with various considerations, to the terms of the Hadley Investments Ltd MOU with a view to enter into a Development Agreement.

Cabinet also approved with various considerations the approach to collect the Tourism Guest Levy for the Destination Management Organisation.

They have approved the renewal of the Policy for the Caribbean Catastrophic Risk Insurance Facility for 2023/2024; an application by the proprietors of Strata Plan No 67 for a lease or licence over accredited land seaward of Parcel 60905/206; and an application by Blue Roc Properties Ltd for a licence to establish a swim deck seaward of Parcels 60612/220 and 60612/221 located at Norway and Five Cays.

Two appointments to the TCI Sport Commission Board were granted as well, namely: Shanwell Gardiner for three years as chairman and Tamara Basset for two years as a board member.

They took up their positions on June 1.

An amendment to the current Development Order/Agreement between TCI Toscana GP ltd, Vista development Ltd and the TCIG has also been approved to reflect a new completion date of October 31, 2027.

Cabinet approved with various considerations a Development Agreement with Hamilton University.

Amendments have been approved by Cabinet to the Road Traffic Ordinance for import permit and traffic signals.

The fourth quarter financial report 2022/2023 was also discussed and will be up for publication.

Ignorance or new cholera discovery?

– PDM leader says PNP government dead wrong

In reading the Minister of Health’s press release, the scientific world and the world as a whole discovered that there is now a virus that caused cholera. This PNP government has made a significant breakthrough in medical science, or maybe not.

From time immemorial, and up until this week, it has been longestablished that the causative agent for the disease of Cholera was a BACTERIA named VIBRIO CHOLERAE.

Therefore, either the PNP Government has discovered a new virus, or they just don’t know, or understand, what they are talking about. Calling a bacterium, a virus is like calling a dog a bird. They are completely two different organisms. In fact, it is widely debated whether or not a virus can be classified as a living organism in the first place.

So how could this PNP government with three Ministers of Health make such an incorrect and academically shameful statement?

In the public release the PNP government through the Minister of Health stated in paragraph 4, “Beset with vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration, the persons were tested for the viral illness.” What viral illness, Cholera is a Bacterial illness.

The PNP government through the ministers of health closed the statement by saying “The government has sent the samples off to the Caribbean Public Health Agency, CARPHA, to determine which strain of the virus is present.”

Which strain of the virus is present? I wonder what the health professionals at CARPHA are thinking right now. Are we to do as the TCI government said and look for viruses, or should we do what should be done and look for the presence of the bacteria Vibrio Cholera?

The health minister number two, Hon. Robinson, always likes to dismiss my qualifications and experience as a health professional. He has a difficult time comprehending that our country can produce persons highly qualified in the Scientific field, for which I am one of many. How is it that he and the other two PNP Health Ministers made this colossal mistake?

It is widely known that Vibrio Cholera has produced epidemic diarrheal disease in many parts of the world, and it is endemic in some parts of the world. The transmission of the disease is completely different from viruses like COVID and Influenza. It is spread from person to person through the ingestion of contaminated water and, or, food, and the common house fly is known as a common transport.

Control rests on education and improvement of sanitation, particularly proper food and water handling.

Death from the disease is mostly due to dehydration. Hence the most important part of therapy consists of water and electrolyte replacement to correct the severe hydration and salt depletion. Many Antimicrobial agents are also effective against Vibrio Cholera.

Let us pray that this PNP government does not have to face anything worse than one person being infected with this bacteria v. cholera. If they cannot identify the causative agent correctly, then how can we expect them to put in the correct measures to prevent and control Cholera or any other disease?

By Hon Edwin A. Astwood Leader PDM and Opposition