TC Weekly News June 17 - 23, 2023

– MORE BOOTS ON THE GROUND, AND A NEW GANG, GUN, AND DRUG TEAM FORMED

In the latter part of 2022, a crime spree by gangs in the TCI left islanders in fear and the country at a crossroads. International and regional support along with adaptive policing helped to return TCI to a sense of normalcy. Crime is however raising its ugly head once again, but this time the RTCIPF says it is ready to fight back.

TCI aims to develop a National Quality Policy

The government is looking to develop a National Quality Policy, as part of its efforts to safeguard human, animal, and plant life while facilitating a smooth and sustainable trade flow.

To this end, officials are requesting proposals from qualified consultants for the development of the policy.

A National Quality Policy (NQP) is essential for the Turks and Caicos Islands to focus efforts, establish, effectively resource, and maintain globally recognised quality standards and conformity assessment regimes for goods and services, the Department of Trade and Industry stated on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

As a British Overseas Territory and an Associate Member of CARICOM, the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is in the nascent stages of developing an institutionalised Quality Infrastructure (QI) environment as there is a definitive need to develop a more accessible, affordable, and internationally recognised demand-oriented QI.

The terms of reference document for the NQP obtained by the Weekly News, further explained that the TCI is very desirous of aligning itself to the Caribbean

Community’s (CARICOM) Regional Quality Policy.

In this vein, the policy is intended to guide a more efficient and directional development of the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), which refers to autonomous but related institutions that collectively work to guarantee the quality and safety of products and services for local and international use.

The scope of work includes developing short, medium and long-term implementation plans for the TCI to provide strategic and operational direction for the accelerated development of a NQI along with a suitable technical regulation system.

CONSULTATION

Back in 2017, the European Union Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EUCOSME) with the assistance of the Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services formally initiated the development of an NQI plan for the TCI.

Subsequently, officials from the Department of Public Health met with EU-COSME consultants in Providenciales to discuss this and

a proposed structure for the NQI, according to the government's terms of reference document.

In March 2018, the Ministry of Finance, Investment and Trade assumed responsibility for the initiative and in July 2018, a national consultation workshop on the development of a NQP and Consumer Protection Framework was held in Providenciales and attended by government and related stakeholders.

A report was submitted by the EU-COSME consultants to the Ministry of Finance, Investment and Trade on August 2018.

The document noted that in April 2019, Cabinet approved the establishment of an NQI Steering Committee, and in September

2022, the Department of Trade, Industry, and Fair Competition, as Lead Coordinator of the NQI Steering Committee, solicited guidance from the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) on the way forward for standards development and related QI matters in the territory.

Overall, an NQP will inter alia, link the policy and implementation measures relating to standards, metrology, conformity assessment and technical regulation contained in all relevant policies, where they exist and establish interlocking modalities where they do not.

It will also provide an opportunity for the Government to review quality issues mentioned in other policies and related

strategies and create a framework of integration.

The government-approved NQP, along with its implementation plan, will therefore be an integral part of the broader diversification, social enhancement and business strategies of TCI that seek the development of quality products and services to enhance trade and thereby ultimately underpin socioeconomic development.

Consultants are being advised to submit their Technical and Financial Proposals to tradetci@ gov.tc by 4:00 pm on July 14, 2023. Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be considered and only individuals selected for an interview will be contacted, the Department of Trade said.

Child abusers warned that prison awaits them – as abuse against minors increases

Police say child abuse is on the increase in the Turks and Caicos Islands; warning parents, guardians and caregivers that they will prosecute anyone found guilty to the fullest extent of the law.

The warning came this week, and along with it an advisory, directing caregivers of children to “seek intervention and professional advice” if they are overwhelmed or having difficulty coping.

“Parents, guardians, and caregivers are being advised to desist from abusing children in any form.

“Whilst it may be challenging at times for children to be obedient and compliant to instructions, resorting to abuse is never an

option,” Police said”

Although police did not disclose any of the cases they are currently investigating, they stated that the Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit (SPPU) will be investigating all reported incidents of child abuse and where there is evidence, the perpetrators will be fully dealt with under the Children (Care and Protection) Ordinance.

“If you are having challenges with the behavior of a child in your care, please seek intervention and professional advice from the relevant agencies or individuals such as guidance counselors or the Department of Social Development.”

Meanwhile, residents are

advised to immediately make a report at the nearest police station, contact the Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit at 232- 6696, Department of Social Development at 338-4008 or call 911, if they suspect a child is being abused.

The last reported case of child abuse was reported in February, whereby an undocumented Haitian national, Ocianie Tibeau was caught on home video footage beating a toddler.

The 29-year-old woman was slapped with three charges and is currently serving her one-year prison sentence at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in Grand Turk.

Every available tactic will be deployed to identify criminals

In the latter part of 2022, a crime spree in the TCI by gangs left Islanders in fear and the country at a crossroads. With the help of international and regional support, the TCI was able to return to a sense of normalcy—crime is however raising its ugly head once again.

This week, TCI recorded its third gun-related murder in the last 10 days, which brings the country’s murder toll to seven for 2023.

Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting said the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force aims to take control of the situation.

He stressed that the recently established multi-agency ‘Operation Pursuit’ will work aggressively to curb the surge in murders and the organised crime of smuggling people, guns, and drugs.

“The focus of Operation Pursuit will be on serious crime and chasing down those responsible for the shootings and murder”.

“We are deploying every available tactic, some of it very overt on the streets and some of it covert, in the shadows, to identify those responsible for the crimes”, the Commissioner said in a video address from Police Headquarters on Wednesday, June, 14.

Botting said the Force has reviewed its response resources and is beefing up intelligence-led operations across the island.

“You will see more police officers and policing activity within those communities most affected”, he said.

The latest homicide was

Commissioner of Police

More boots on the ground, and a new gang, gun, and drug team formed

committed on Tuesday, June 13th, 2023 around 9:38 pm in Five Cays, Providenciales.

Although the Commissioner did not divulge specifics as the seven murders for this year are still under active investigation, he reported that Luiz Rosario has been charged with the offence of murder of Stephen Baker who was killed on Grand Turk in January.

“In more general terms, what I can say about the murders is we of course maintain an open mind as to the circumstances and motive for each incident and we work with the evidence.

“At this point, we believe that two of the seven murders are not directly connected to serious crimes and are individual offences.

“We also believe the other five are linked to criminality but not necessarily connected”.

He noted that there is no evidence uncovered to date that suggests the murders have been committed by the same person or persons but this has not been ruled out.

“We are not complacent and remain resolute and committed

to keeping criminals on the back foot.”

More boots on the ground

To stem the uptick in serious crime, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force has initiated a concerted response to the current crime situation.

To this end, additional boots will be on the ground to support the front-line delivery of policing.

Coupled with this, nine experienced officers, recruited from across the region will arrive this week and will be deployed almost immediately to increase capacity, within the Tactical Unit.

Botting said: “18 officers who finish their initial training next week will be on the streets of the TCI as soon as possible following their arrival back home from the Bahamas.”

He further noted that the support from the Royal Bahamas Police Force given to the TCI last year to address the unprecedented surge in crime remains an option if the need arises.

“Whilst acknowledging the concerns of our communities, I

want to reassure you that this year has seen a building of our resources with the 18 newly trained officers returning this week after six months of training.

“I have been updated by the Commissioner from the Bahamas that we have an exceptional group of new officers returning to the TCI and we are looking forward to welcoming them home.”

Tackling gang crime

As the territory works to tackle a proliferation of gang-related crime, a new gang, gun, and drug team led by a local senior officer and comprising officers from the TCI and the UK has been formed.

According to the Commissioner, the team is also working in collaboration with US Law Enforcement to tackle the importation of drugs to the TCI.

He said: “They are spearheading the work to target gangs, gang members, and those involved in organised crime.

“This work is supported by the 2022 legislation to tackle Gangs, the TCI Anti-Gang Legislation.

“Gang leaders are liable to 25 years in prison and gang

membership will lead to a term of 10 years for a first offence and 20 years if a second offence is committed.”

He said the Force has developed its intelligence gathering and covert and technical capability which is helping officers investigate crime and build cases against suspects and offenders and develop intelligence from a range of sources.

“There is no place for criminals to hide.”

Along with these measures, the government has re-established the Joint Law Enforcement Group (J-LEG) which saw the signing of a MoU on 23rd May 2023.

“This group now has a membership of about twenty agencies and critical partners who are committed to working together, serving you, and our communities, to ensure the safety and security of the Turks and Caicos Islands”, he added.

Maritime Operations 2023 has seen a region-wide surge in the number of people being smuggled from country to country and the TCI is seeing the same increases.

Turning his attention to the other supporting operations connected to the efforts of the Force, in investigating serious crime, Botting highlighted the work undertaken by the RTCIPF Marine Branch and Maritime Operations Centre, radar operators, in the policing of the maritime environment and the territory’s borders.

He said: “The Marine Branch

Commissioner of Police Mr Trevor Botting

RTCIPF Officers on the scene of a murder on South Dock (RTCIPF photo)

CLEAN ENERGY IN THE TCI

To propel the TCI into an era of clean energy, FortisTCI will invest $8m to install the country's first solar plus battery microgrids to power 30% of the electricity supply on North and Middle Caicos and 91% of the electricity supply on Salt Cay in 2024.

A new age is dawning when it comes to renewable energy growth, and the Turks and Caicos Islands is making notable strides to transition to renewable energy sources.

To this end, the territory’s sole electricity provider FortisTCI recently inked a contract with Compass Solar at a TCI Energy Forum.

The announcement was made on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at the company’s business cocktail event, 'Energy Hour' at The Farm Restaurant, Seven Stars Resort.

What are your thoughts?

Why only now?

This is a welcome investment although it is arguably too little too late from the country’s main and monopolised energy providers. Solar power has been around for decades now and in a small island nation that has sunshine 365 days a year and is at the forefront of the effects of global warming; this and more should have been done a long time ago.

It just seems ironic that other countries, most notably France, are already looking at the disposal of used solar panels and the effects of that on the environment when we are only now beginning to invest in and look at converting to solar power and only on the least inhabited of our islands!

If I were a cynic I would say Fortis TCI is providing lip service to renewable energy while ensuring its profits and stranglehold remain in fossil fuels!

Break the monopoly

Excellent. Let's hope that this move doesn't continue the monopoly of power service. Our local regulators are generally a lot less competent and informed than those they regulate, and we pay the price.

Local participation needed

It is really unfortunate that the government is allowing the existing monopoly into the alternative green energy market and allowing them to participate at the levels that ordinary

citizens should be able to. This is an area that has been carved out by law for the public, the average person and the government to pioneer and control. While a reasonable person would not snuff at the FortisTCI investment of $8m to “install the country's first solar plus battery microgrids to power 30% of the electricity supply on North and Middle Caicos and 91% of the electricity supply on Salt Cay in 2024”, this should really have been a government initiative.

The government needs a realistic approach and policies to manage the green sector. It is a matter of existing law, unless changed in the heat of the night that energy outside of the current monopoly may be employed by anyone, where it relates to wind and solar uses (the “green market”). In this area, the government should be using its own resources and energies to propel local participation in the green market.

The government should be moved to develop a Turks & Caicos Islander-leaning policy. This is critical especially where FortisTCI cannot exercise complete and monopolistic control over green energy in the TCI. Can there be something that you can include your people in so that they may benefit? This is a sea change, there were chances for locals to enter this market over 38 years ago. Governments need more imagination and policy to enable the empowerment of their people. Allowing locals to enter and participate in the green energy market will be a game changer for the TCI.

of Grand Turk and Providenciales also. There needs to be a nationwide green energy drive.

We must turn our backs on fossil fuels. The time is ripe for the TCI to begin another chapter of its development journey.

Can’t a brother make a dollar?

Reading how FortisTCI is investing in green energy suppliers for North and Middle Caicos, also Salt Cay, brings good news. It is time for real policy, ideas and representation to emerge so that the TCIslander could get in on the green energy game as well. In the words of the Great, Lloyd Stubbs esq. “can’t a brother make a dollar?”

Enact in Parliament, a supplementary appropriation fund, create a low-interest rate loan facility of say $75m. The money is there with a $420m revenue projection. It is not a "giveaway and it will pay for itself. Lend the Turks and Caicos Islanders the capital at low-interest rates to enter the alternative energy market. The government can also make regulations and rules so that when people sell their energy to FortisTCI i.e. the grid, that they won’t be ripped off and ‘eaten alive’ by the monopolistic mentality of FortisTCI. To do this as a government, you must really care for the people!

That begs the question; do they really care? The green market is there, possible, ripe for all TCIslanders to enter but the government must not stand aloof, reading an economics textbook about staying out of ultra-free markets.

Get rid of the bureaucratic mentality as that is purely textbook which applies to a European mindset, which does not care about the ordinary man and consumer. In this emerging market, the textbook and lack of care won’t work, the government needs to get involved so that they can, if they want to, or care, protect the people.

Green energy power

One cannot “mete” out ‘negative criticisms” at these ‘remarkable’ developments because supplying the islands with new energy is excellent. It is time nonetheless that the government by law and investment begin to usher the people into the alternative energy markets.

It is also brilliant that the islands of North & Middle Caicos and Salt Cay are getting some green energy. These are good developments at any level but it's time to allow the local TCI population into the green market for the supply of energy.

A bold, imaginative, pro-people, “do not care what FortisTCI thinks” policy is needed right now. Create monies to be borrowed and regulations to protect the people from FortisTCI or PPC whatever name is applicable at this time.

‘Good intentions’

It is oft-stated and a memorable quotation that the “road to hell is paved with good intentions.” They are doing great things with the microgrids but where is the government in all of this? What about the high energy prices based on fossil fuels? What steps are being made to bring these costs down locally?

Can the government step in to regulate this sector with a view to bringing prices down? One cannot “kill FortisTCI” in the proverbial sense. They have been hiring TC Islanders and letting them lead. The promotion of Mrs Ruth Forbes to Country Manager is a great development and trends of this nature need to be encouraged. Throughout the organisation, locals are being promoted. It means the government is without an excuse in the context of negotiation to deal with policy and ideas for the people. Initiate talks to advise FortisTCI that control of the green energy grid will remain with the government and the people. Would the Turks & Caicos Islander component in FortisTCI say no to reasonable policies and ideas designed to protect their people?

If they care and that is a test, the government can move in and negotiate on behalf of the people to allow them in the green energy market. Budget the monies so people can borrow at low-interest rates to invest in green energy supplies and technologies because the banks will not do it. Enact the regulations so when supplies are made to the FortisTCI “microgrid” that people will earn fair rates of return.

The monies will pay for itself. Let FortisTCI know that they will not be allowed to rape the local supplier of energy to the grid and that government will ensure by regulation that people will get a fair deal. To do so, a government must really care and be prepared to tear the ‘book up’ when it comes to the people. Government must deal with energy prices nationwide and how the transactions will be regulated when people ‘sell to the grid’.

A step in the right direction

This can revolutionise the TCI. Cheaper electricity will create more investment opportunities. This might be the push needed for TCI to catapult its development and break the tourism monopoly.

For too long we have allowed the rest of the world to lead by example. It’s time for us to develop sustainably.

I do hope that this will happen in the islands

Five restaurants and bars closed by ‘Operation Pursuit’ for health violations

FIVE restaurants and bars in Providenciales were recently served with Closure Notices for health and other violations as Operation Pursuit kicks into high gear.

On Wednesday, June 7, public health officials swooped down on a number of eateries across Providenciales and found expired items used in food preparation.

Operation Pursuit, the Government's latest approach to law enforcement involves a MultiAgency operational framework, designed to locate, identify, and process persons engaged in ALL illegal activities within the TCI. These operations entail a collaborative effort from all essential partners at the reestablished Turks Caicos Islands

(J-LEG).

In keeping with this, nine irregular migrants were also apprehended during the crackdown and taken to the Detention Centre for processing.

According to a statement from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Immigration Enforcement Unit, Customs Department, Environmental Health Department, and Revenue Control Unit descended on a bar along Millennium Highway.

While there, it was observed that several persons were working Contrary to their work permits.

“A warning was issued, and two individuals – male and female were apprehended.

“The Officers also conducted

Police investigating death of man found on bedroom floor – autopsy being done

Police are awaiting the result of an autopsy following the discovery of a dead man at a Providenciales residence.

The discovery was made at about 8:30 am on Thursday, June 15, by friends or relatives of the deceased (who is unnamed at this time).

Calls were made to the

police informing them that the lifeless body of a man was found on the bedroom floor of a Lower Bight dwelling.

Police are treating it as a suspicious death as they await the results of an autopsy to determine the cause of death and its classification.

a search at a bar located in Kew Town behind the Ball Park.

“A total of seven individuals (four males and three females) were apprehended and taken to the Detention Centre for processing.

“At this location, a number of prohibited items were seized.

“Overall, several restaurants and cafeterias were served notices to close for failure to comply with health regulations”, the Police said.

“A number of items used to prepare food and mix alcoholic drinks were seized during the exercise, these included: “Expired/

dented: Carnation evaporated milk - 63 cans, Expired: Bluebird orange juice - 10 bottles, 60 lbs. of raw and cooked meat (chicken and pork) - held at improper temperatures and 20 lbs. of raw meat (fish, beef, and pork) - held at improper temperatures.”

In accordance with the Environmental Health Department Closure Notice Ordinance failure to comply with this closure notice may result in one or more of the following as outlined in the Food & Drug Ordinance 2016, Part III (Sections 31 & 32).

“A person who commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $10,000 or to a term of imprisonment for 12 months or both.

“If a person is convicted of an offence under this ordinance the court may on conviction, and on an application by or on behalf of the Chief Environmental Health Officer (Director) order that any license the person holds to operate such a business be suspended for a period specified in the order, or revoked”, the Ordinance states.

Every available tactic will be deployed to identify ...

CONTINUED FROM  5

and radar operators have been working hard, all day and all night to detect boats attempting to smuggle people, guns, and drugs into the TCI.

“The RTCIPF Marine Branch will be supported by members of the TCI Regiment in the protection of our border.

“I mention this within a crime update as it is clear that the smuggling of people, guns, and drugs into the TCI has a direct line of sight to organised crime and violence.”

He continued: “Make no

mistake, those people facilitating smuggling into the TCI are fuelling organised crime, shootings, and the murder of our citizens.

“Specialist Operations (Tactical Unit and Marine Branch) will have a new Superintendent shortly with a highly qualified and experienced officer joining the Force’s senior leadership team from overseas.

“Superintendent Mat Newton will arrive in the first week of July to take up his post and we look forward to him joining the

team and leading our specialist operations functions.”

The Police Commissioner underscored that the developments in policing and resulting law enforcement activity is producing results as officers have seized a number of weapons and ammunition during operations and directed patrol activity.

He said the law has been strengthened with persons found in possession of a firearm being liable to a minimum of 12 years or 18 years for those carrying a high-powered weapon.

Joint Law Enforcement Group

Meat and other food items seized by the Health Department - (Environmental Health Department photo)

Alcoholic beverages were also seized(Environmental Health Department photo)

Raw Meat held at improper temperature(Environmental Health Department photo)

Live as an example of Christ

– Practice the word of God in action

There is so much confusion, hatred, unforgiveness, greed, poverty, and turmoil in this world to the point whereby it looks like the circumstances are getting worse day by day. However, I know if we were to live our lives as examples of Christ, things can get better. Too many of us are living our lives contrary to the word of God and yet we wonder why there are so many issues in the world.

One of the things we need to do is to walk in love. This will require many of us to forgive. Some people have done you wrong, thrown shades at you, betrayed you, turned their backs on you and dislike you. Love them despite what they do.

Walking in love also requires us to look at each other as one race and as our brothers and sisters in Christ. There is a lot of hatred because of who you are, where you

BY DREXWELL SEYMOUR

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

are from and the colour of your skin. Christ sees all of us as one so why don’t we do the same?

You see if we walk in love, there will be less hatred, less fighting and there will be more unity. Some of us love our political parties more than we love those on the other side of the political fence, some of us put love for our country over love for people from other countries.

Love our enemies. We don’t

need to be revengeful and hold malice in our hearts to our enemies. Maybe if we show love, they will no longer be our enemies.

To live as an example of Christ, there should not be any hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity or greed. There is so much sexual immorality taking place in this world and as a result, relationships are being destroyed and there is a wide spread of

sexually transmitted diseases. No one is perfect. You will be faced with temptations to commit sexual immorality. Our eyes can get us in a lot of trouble. Control yourself and resist temptations. We can use Joseph as an example, he could have committed sexual immorality with Potiphar’s’ wife but he ran away. How many of us will run away or just give in? You see a lot of these behaviours on shows that encourage you to commit sexual immorality, and that is why it is important for us to be careful what we watch.

Another thing is greed which is one of the most pressing issues in the world. Some of us have enough and yet we want more. Some of us don’t have any and so we pursue a lifestyle of greed to get what we want. We must learn to always be content. Greed is going to cause

you to do some things you should not do. Greed is going to cause you to perhaps lie, steal and cheat. Don’t become greedy. Be satisfied and help others. As imitators of Christ, we should also not be engaging in obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking but rather thanksgiving. How many times do we give thanks? In fact, many times we are probably complaining and doing all sorts of foolishness.

In conclusion, I want to encourage us to be kind to others and treat people the way you would want to be treated. Consider the story of the Good Samaritan who helped a stranger. How many of us pass people by and do not show any kindness or empathy towards them?

If we really want a better world, then live as an example of Christ.

The growing impacts of mass tourism in global communities

Tourism is one of the central pillars of economic growth and it is the sole contributor of sustainable development in many emerging economies – creating jobs, lifting communities out of poverty, preserving cultural assets and facilitating infrastructural development. However, its lack of monitoring has left an indelible impression on societies worldwide – even ours!

It mostly depletes the environment, expending local resources, polluting the atmosphere, and exacerbating the waste management problems, loss of natural habitats and endangered species – gradually destroying those environmental resources on which it depends.

It is out of these challenges the

—A lesson from Bali

BY D MARKIE

concept of eco-tourism, responsible tourism and sustainable tourism were born.

Owing to this environmental degradation, 200 of the 400 rivers in Bali – an Indonesian island province – are drying, and now scientists are alluding to an

inevitable water shortage in the southern area of the island.

Furthermore, erosions of Lebih beach, the holy pilgrimage site, which hosted more than ten thousand people, have caused the disappearance of 23 feet of land every year.

And the 5.7m tourists that visited Bali in 2017 left a 3.6-mile long plastic trail, stretched across the coastline – which forced the Indonesian Government to declare a ‘garbage emergency’ – an act that could dissuade those disruptive visitors from returning.

But lately, Bali, also known for its turquoise blue waters, scenic beaches and buzzing nightclubs, has had some peculiar experiences

and now; its officials are reeling from a slew of shocking tourist scandals, impacting its socioeconomic and cultural arenas.

Subsequently, a Russian visitor was deported for taking a nude photo on a sacred tree and a German tourist was arrested for stripping naked at Bali’s temple performance.

Many more were detained for a myriad of other unruly behaviors – from traffic offences to a tourist exposing her genitalia on public transport. For the ‘Island of Gods’, this is deemed an ungodly behaviour.

Nudity has always been the impetus of cultural influence and over time, gambling and prostitution have emerged into local cultures that once held stringent godly values and we cannot deny the existence of some of these activities in our own front yard!

It looks like unruly tourists are its Achilles heels and as Balinese authorities grapple with these exploits, they’ve established new, strict, genetic advisories aimed at curbing those incivilities, before

they become incurable norms.

And although tourism has generated enormous wealth for Balinese, the Indonesians Government recognises the costs to society and in response, has prioritized the preservation of Bali’s heritage and customs over wealth.

Now, all tourists are urged to respect sacred places and be polite. No expression of offensive language is allowed; neither can they act aggressively toward others.

Besides, they must comply with all traffic rules. In fact, the authorities are contemplating a ban on rented motorcycles in Bali and the use of single-use plastics is prohibited.

Commonly, tourists are errant to local customs and values because they are ill-informed. Though not pertinent, when tourists asked, “Does the TCI have schools?” – is a prime example of such disconnect and; therefore, like Bali, standards must be set and communicated.

The one thing that the Indonesian Government expects hereon is, “If you are traveling to Bali anytime soon, remember to respect the rules and have fun!”

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.

WHEN

THE RAILING GIVES WAY:

Economic lessons from the Book of Judges

What happens when everyone does what is right in their own eyes? There is moral apathy, anarchy, chaos, and destruction. When laws are disregarded and governance is based on what feels right, the fabric of society is ripped apart. Safety and overall well-being suffer. Vulnerable populations become susceptible to exploitation. Corruption, inequality, and concentration of power become rampant, impeding economic development and hampering opportunities for growth. The long-term consequences jeopardise justice, righteousness, and the progress of society. And it all starts when “everyone does what they think is right in their own eyes”.

The book of Judges details the consequences of a society that is built on immorality, evil, and unfaithfulness to God. Read it and you get the sense of what it feels like to sink into a pit of depravity.

Kenyatta Lewis is the pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, a growing church committed to taking followers of Jesus deeper and going further in their faith. Besides loving, serving, and helping people he has watched the extended Director’s cut of the Lord of the Rings trilogy multiple times.

By the time you get to the end, you are crying out for the wickedness to stop and for someone to step in and say “Enough! Can’t you see how bad it is when you turn away from God and do your own thing?” But why put this book in the Bible? God wanted us to see this, he wanted us to know what happens when injustice and unfaithfulness work their way into the soul of society for hundreds of years. He wanted to warn us and every generation that is to come. There is a high price to pay for lawlessness.

In 2008 a banking scandal in

the United States shook the entire global economy. The scandal revealed that several major financial institutions were not playing according to the rules. As a matter of fact, they were doing what seemed right for them – excessive risk-taking and poor lending practices to name a few – and it eventually led to an economic recession. You would think that lessons learned would be put in place to stop the next big scandal. But in many ways, nothing was learned and business went on as before. Much like the book of Judges, the deep

suffering of the people did not prompt justice and righteousness,

if anything, it made it more ingrained.

Here is a warning for us. There are dire consequences when there is a lack of accountability, unbridled greed, and unethical business practice. One of the best and more effective economic principles we can enact is “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed.” (Isaiah 1:17). YOU. ARE. LOVED.

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Perceived threat initiates lockdown at Louise Garland High

A perceived threat to students' safety triggered a lockdown at the A. Louise Garland Thomas High School in Providenciales on Friday last.

Sources informed the Weekly News that the lockdown was initiated after several boys from a rival school, who allegedly had issues with a group of boys at Louise Garland, entered the school compound unbeknownst to security guards and hid in an empty classroom while students were in the auditorium for an examination.

This publication was also informed that an alarm was raised by some students who claimed to have seen the boys hide a gun in the bushes near the school. They raised an alarm and a lockdown was initiated shortly after the school’s lunch period.

In a statement on Monday, June 12, the Ministry of Education confirmed that the A. Louise Garland Thomas High School, formerly Long Bay High, activated its Critical Incident Management Plan, which outlines its safety and security protocols after receiving information about the likelihood

Louise Garland Thomas High School

of an occurrence that could endanger students and others on the compound.

The Ministry said: “As part of its protocol, any perceived threat

can call for the principal to ‘lock down’ the school.”

However, the Ministry of Education refuted claims that guns were involved in the incident.

“The compound was locked down, the police were called for assistance, security, members of the administration, and teachers worked together to ensure that the

compound was not breached and that students were kept calm and safe.

“The police, upon arriving, apprehended potential threats and secured the compound before assisting with the orderly and safe loading of the buses and the departure of the students”, the Ministry of Education stated.

Although the Ministry’s statement vaguely explained the nature of the threat, it revealed that the Minister of Education, Hon Rachel Taylor, and other Ministry Officials held a debriefing with the Principal and her Critical Incident Management Team.

After learning of the lockdown, some concerned parents flocked to the school but were unable to enter the compound.

Commenting on this, the Ministry said, “Allowing access to the compound before it was secured may have interfered with the standard protocols”.

“We understand that some parents were concerned about the absence of the situation’s particulars unfolding”, the Ministry added.

KENYATTA E. LEWIS

A.

Salt Cay welcomes back families and friends for weekend of fun and fellowship

A homecoming celebration in Salt Cay last weekend saw residents and government officials coming out in their numbers.

Slated as a celebration of ‘My Island Home’, Salt Cay opened its arms on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (June 9, 10 and 11), for its natives, residents of the other islands and visitors to come celebrate with them.

The weekend kicked off on Friday night with a kids’ talent show and karaoke night.

Among those visiting was the Premier, Honourable Charles Washington Misick, who commended the event’s committee for

pulling off one of the summer season’s first island celebrations.

“As the summer festival season has gotten off to a successful start, I look forward to joining all as we celebrate our culture and heritage,” the Premier said.

He added: “Activities like this past weekend and the recently concluded 56th South Caicos Regatta keep our culture alive and thriving, especially in our youth.

“Congratulations to the organising committees, those who travelled from near and far, came to celebrate and kept the

cultural flame alive.”

There were lots to eat, drink and be merry about as families and friends gathered in the island hometown for a day packed with games the likes of dominoes, bicycle race, even lime and spoon. A fishing tournament, kite flying and a maypole parade were also part of the day’s activities.

Indigenous families, like the Garlands, competed for prizes and a floating trophy, while Sweet Emily, Prime DJs, DJ Yardy Boy, and DJ Trevor kept the crowd hyped. Sharon Simons and Super P took their

hosting jobs seriously, keeping everyone engaged and in the right mood.

That was the activity-packed Saturday event.

On Sunday, families gathered at St John’s Anglican Church in Salt Cay for a spiritmoving service.

Thought to be the island time forgot, Salt Cay has its quaint charms evidenced in the friendliness of the people who inhabit the island, its weather-beaten landscape, and the unspoiled beauty of its secluded, yet spectacular beaches.

‘A Day in Salt Cay- My Island Home Homecoming Festival’ kicks summer celebrations in the Islands (TCIG photos)

Cabinet members venture out for Twin Island tour

Cabinet took its work to the Twin Islands this week, with members not just cooped up indoors, they ventured out, meeting and greeting Islanders.

The delegation - comprised of the acting Governor, Premier and other members of Cabinet - was treated to the renowned North and Middle Caicos’ warm hospitality, ingenuity, talent and beauty on Wednesday, June 14.

Premier, Hon Charles Washington Misick took a moment to reflect on what is to come for the twin islands.

The Premier said: “Today, we had an enlightening tour of the twin islands and ended the day with a historic event: the opening of the Carlton Williams Promenade in Bottle Creek.

“I fondly remember the bay

from childhood; seeing it reach new heights is exciting.

“I'm particularly looking forward to the continued growth and advancement of the twin islands.

“My government is keen to see the projects earmarked for both islands come to fruition but also the improvement of services and accessibility to both residents and visitors alike. I am committed to the mission.”

Along with the opening of the Carlton Williams Promenade on North Caicos, Cabinet members visited the Charles Hubert James, Adelaide Oemler and Doris Robinson Primary Schools, the Raymond Gardiner High School, the Bottle Creek and Middle Caicos clinics and other government departments.

Premier C. Washington Misick in a moment of reflection says: “I am committed to the mission” (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Premier)

Minister Josephine Connolly and Minister Otis Morris with students of the primary school. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Premier)

The Governor (acting), HE Anya Williams, along with the Premier Hon C. Washington Misick and other Cabinet members, were warmly welcomed to the Twin Islands by District Commissioners Jasmine Walkin (North Caicos) and Osborne Delancy (Middle Caicos) at the Hog Road Cafe in Belle Field Landing, North Caicos. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Premier)

The Carlton Williams Promenade in Bottle Creek, North Caicos, was opened on Tuesday (Photo courtesy of TCIG)

Members of the Cabinet visit Isaac Farm in Kew, North Caicos (Photo courtesy of TCIG)

Premier Misick with Dr Leston Payne, one of the resident doctors at the Bottle Creek Clinic, North Caicos. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Premier)

FortisTCI promotes over a dozen employees

Thirteen employees of FortisTCI have been advanced to higher positions as the utility company continues on its track of employee development and advancement.

Those promoted to various positions within the company are Rikardia Pardo, Nicquel Garland, Claudia Munnings, Marcus Francis, Ariel Clare, Letivia Williams, Corean Kelly, Denaz Williams, George Glinton, Vincent Graham, Oswald Smith, Perez Lightbourne and Oneil Nembhard.

Commenting on the latest employee promotions, FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes stated: “As a performancebased organisation, we equip our employees with the necessary tools and training opportunities to support their holistic development and advancement within the company. We also focus our efforts on ensuring that employees feel a sense of belonging every day. We are pleased to recognise this latest group of employees for their outstanding work and commitment to continuous growth. Congratulations to our thirteen employees on their accomplishments.”

Rikardia Pardo has been promoted from Senior Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) Officer to Manager of Business Continuity and Environment. In this role, she plans, directs, and oversees the company's environmental and business continuity management programs to ensure a safe working environment, focusing on reducing the loss and liability of its human resources and the environment. She joined the company in 2020. Pardo earned a Master of Science degree in Water and Environmental Management (Distinction) from the University of Bristol, UK. She also has a Bachelor of Science (Honors) degree in Environmental Science from the University of Manchester, UK.

Nicquel Garland has been promoted from Manager of Customer Service to director of customer experience. As Director, Garland collaborates with other company leaders and relevant stakeholders to support organizational engagement with customers and clearly defines the customer journey. She directs and oversees all aspects of the company's customer service policies, objectives, and initiatives. Garland has a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology from Clayton State University in Georgia, USA, and a Master's in Business Administration and Human Resource Management from Robert Morris University in Pennsylvania, USA. She joined FortisTCI in 2019.

Claudia Munnings has been appointed from Director of

Human Resources to Director of Organizational Learning and Development following a restructuring of the Human Resource Department. In her new role, she drives the company's leadership development, training, succession planning, performance management, workforce planning, and career development. She also administers the National Centre for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and American Society of Power Engineers (ASOPE) programs. She leads the Company's student employment, internship, apprenticeship, and scholarship programs. Munnings joined FortisTCI in 2016. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Sciences from the

(Row 1 L-R) Manager of Business Continuity and Environment, Rikardia Pardo; Director of People, Culture, Environmental Health and Safety, Marcus Francis; Director of Customer Experience, Nicquel Garland and Director of Organisational Learning and Development, Claudia Munnings. (Row 2 L-R) Vehicle Services Foreman, Oswald Smith; People and Culture Ambassador, Letivia Williams; Plant Operator Level 1, George Glinton, and Power Line Technician (PLT), Corean Kelly. (Row 3 L-R) Senior Business Continuity and Environmental Officer, Ariel Clare; Supervisor of Metering and Revenue Protection, Oneil Nembhard; Senior Plant Operator, Perez Lightbourne and Power Line Technician Foreman, Vincent Graham. (Row 4) Senior Revenue Protection Investigating Officer, Denaz Williams (Photo courtesy of FortisTCI)

University of the West Indies and an Associate of Arts degree from the College of the Bahamas. She received a Certificate in HR Analytics from Cornell University and holds numerous other professional HR leadership and training certifications.

Marcus Francis has been promoted from Manager of Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) to Director of People, Culture, and EHS. In this role, he leads the Human Resource Department's employee services, recruitment, employee engagement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion functions. Francis is also responsible for HR policies, compensation and employee benefits, and the company's

employee assistance program. He served as the company's pandemic response leader from 2020 to 2022 and has been the Fortis operating group's safety chairperson since 2022. He joined the company in 2016. He holds a Master's in Business Administration and a Post-graduate Diploma in Management from the University of the West Indies.

Ariel Clare has been promoted from Environment, Health and Safety, and Business Continuity Management Coordinator to Senior Business Continuity and Environmental Officer. In her new role, she is responsible for maintaining the Business Continuity and Environmental Management Systems to facilitate

developing, maintaining, and delivering environmental, health, and safety programs. Clare joined FortisTCI in 2018 as a temporary employee before being hired fulltime in August 2021. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Business Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College.

Letivia Williams has been promoted from Executive Assistant to People and Culture Ambassador. In this role, she helps facilitate employee orientation, and various benefit plans enrollment. She supports all employee engagement activities and the student summer

Social and welfare department is coming to your door – Island-wide walkthrough intended to reach the most vulnerable

An island-wide walkthrough, dubbed ‘Feet in the Street, knocking Door to Door’ will kick off in the new week with officers of the social development and welfare department coming to hear residents’ concerns.

A statement from the department on Thursday, June 15, said the initiative is intended to reach the most vulnerable and destitute populations in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The idea, they said, was birthed out of discussions and brainstorming by staff, who wanted

to uncover a creative approach to reaching people in need of services who may have been roadblocked due to various adversities.

‘Feet in the Street, knocking Door to Door’ will provide the general public an opportunity to meet the faces of social development and welfare along with pertinent persons from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Information and valuable materials on the Department will be circulated and reviews with current clients will be conducted.

The department said that through

this initiative, they will be able to provide social service assistance to the most vulnerable households and individuals geared towards empowering them to enhance their social and economic conditions.

Expected Results

It is expected that from this initiative, people who are in dire need of services will have an opportunity to receive the support and assistance needed.

Officers attached to the department will have the opportunity to reach members of the community on a personal

basis, hopefully correcting some misconceptions and doubts about the department.

“This would provide a fair opportunity for the wider community to experience first-class services by trained professionals who are willing to go beyond the call of duty to provide support and to foster better working relationships with the citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands,” the department said.

It is expected that the sister Islands will get the representation, services and support they need

that will enable them to enhance themselves for the betterment of society.

It is also expected that more resources and manpower will be pooled into the Department of Social Development and Welfare to undertake the necessary tasks to support the needs of the various communities.

A team will be on North and Middle Caicos on Wednesday, June 21, 2023; on Salt Cay July 21, and on South Caicos July 28. Grand Turk and Providenciales will follow at a later date.

FortisTCI promotes over a dozen ...

employment and internship programs. She joined the company in 2016. Williams earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (Human Resource Management) and an Associate’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College.

Corean Kelly has been promoted from a Junior Plant Operator at FortisTCI's South Caicos operation to Power Line Technician (PLT) in Providenciales. As a Powerline Technician, he ensures the safe and efficient construction, operation, and maintenance of the transmission and distribution systems to achieve a safe and reliable supply of electricity to customers. He also participates in the company’s subsea cable maintenance, and repairs. He joined FortisTCI in 2015 and was identified for training as a Power Line Technician. He completed the PLT Apprenticeship course in 2022 and was certified as a PLT by The Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA). Kelly also has Third Class PLT certification from the American Society of Power Engineers and PLT Level 4 IHSA certification.

Denaz Williams has been promoted from Energy and Revenue Protection Liaison to Senior Revenue Protection Investigating Officer. In this role, he performs investigative and compliance duties to support the company's electricity service delivery to customers. Williams also focuses on connection standards, tampering, and illegal

use of electricity services. He guides customers on energy conservation and serves as the liaison between customer care and metering to ensure the timely and safe connection of services. He joined FortisTCI in 2016 as Technical Services Officer in the Customer Service department. Williams earned an Associate's and Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Maintenance from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

George Glinton has been promoted from Storekeeper in the Materials Management Department to Plant Operator Level 1 on South Caicos. In his new role, Glinton assists the Senior Operator in controlling and monitoring the South Caicos generation plant. He joined FortisTCI in 2016 after graduating

from school.

Vincent Graham has been promoted from Lineman in the company’s Grand Turk operations to Power Line Technician Foreman. In this role, Graham leads and works as part of a line crew in the safe and efficient construction, operation, and maintenance of the transmission and distribution system. He joined the company in 2006. He received the Power Line Technician Level 4 certification from The Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA).

Oswald Smith has been promoted from Mechanic in the Vehicle Services Department to Vehicle Services Foreman. In this role, he is responsible for ensuring that all company vehicles and equipment are adequately maintained to meet operational needs. He also ensures that proper diagnostics are

conducted to resolve mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic issues to meet the company's standards. Smith joined FortisTCI in 2011 as an Apprentice Mechanic. He has undergone extensive training and earned numerous certifications in auto mechanics and electrically propelled vehicles.

Perez Lightbourne has been promoted from Junior Plant Operator to Senior Plant Operator. In his new role, Lightbourne is responsible for effective systems control, continual system condition monitoring, efficient generation unit dispatch, and timely response to system contingencies in a manner consistent with standard operating procedures and specific instructions of senior Operations Management personnel. Lightbourne joined FortisTCI in 2017. He has an Associate's

degree in Electrical Engineering Technology.

Oneil Nembhard has been promoted from Senior Revenue Protection Investigating Officer to Supervisor of Metering and Revenue Protection. In this role, he establishes controls, policies, and procedures to guide staff in their daily operations. He also provides technical guidance and coaching to the Field Officers in all areas to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Technical Division of the Customer Service Department. He joined FortisTCI in 2016. Nembhard earned a Certificate of Merit in Supervisory Management from the University of the West Indies. He is a Certified Service Remover Contractor and Contractor Meter Inspector by the Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd.

save money when shopping and know where to find all the latest bargains. Or are you an entrepreneur who would like to share tips on setting up a new business?

We need regular contributors of 400 word articles on a variety of topics for our Lifestyle pages. Get in touch with us at the Turks and Caicos Weekly News and pitch your idea for a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly column. You will have your name in print along with your business contact details if requested. It’s a great way to share your knowledge and promote your business or start-up.

Solar street lights and rooftops PV systems project complete tendering phase

The installation of solarpowered streetlights and 5 rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems for the Turks and Caicos Islands is coming closer to fruition, as the tendering process for the projects has recently been completed.

The projects aimed at building the territory’s resilience to hurricanes will see some 140 hurricaneresilient solar streetlights installed across the islands, and five solar microgrids

installed at essential government facilities including clinics.

The projects will be funded and implemented under the European Union’s Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity Programme (RESEMBID) for Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs).

The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is one of the most vulnerable member states of CARICOM and

its geographic location, and small economy make it highly susceptible to climate change impacts such as the increased frequency of hurricanes and sea-level rise.

These climate change impacts pose a significant risk to the local economy, critical infrastructure, and livelihoods of TC Islanders.

Minister of Tourism, Environment and Marine Affairs, Hon Josephine Connolly during Fortis TCI’s recent high-level energy

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE LAUNCHES TRADE INFORMATION PORTAL

The Department of Trade, Industry, and Fair Competition wishes to advise the public of the launch of its Trade Information Portal (TIP).

This Portal, hosted on the Department of Trade’s website – www.gov.tc/trade, is a comprehensive resource for individuals and businesses involved in trade-related processes in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The TIP acts as a centralized hub where importers, exporters, traders, entrepreneurs, academics, and other interested parties can access information about trade regulations and procedures. It covers imports, exports, business starts, trade preferences, duty concessions, and more.

To create the TIP and gather information about various trade processes in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), the Department of Trade collaborated with several government departments, including the Environmental Health Department, the Customs Department, the Department of Fisheries & Marine Resources, the Department of Environmental & Coastal Resources, the Department of Agriculture, and the Inland Revenue Department.

The Department of Trade expects that the TIP will positively impact users by providing essential information, raising awareness among the general public, and guiding individuals engaged in trading activities. The information on the Portal will be updated quarterly, and stakeholder meetings will be held every six months to ensure its effectiveness and efficiency

conference, said this is part of her government’s move to transition the territory towards green energy, in an effort to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs.

In this vein, she described the government’s commitment to building a sustainable energy future as “unwavering”.

She said: “We recognise that the path to sustainability lies in reducing our carbon footprint enhancing energy efficiency and embracing renewable energy sources”.

She explained that despite being met with many setbacks, strides have been made in this direction.

“The importance of collaboration cannot be overstated in TCI’s journey toward sustainability.

Minister of Tourism, Environment and Marine Affairs, Hon Josephine Connolly

“We appreciate the support and expertise provided by international organisations, development partners, and private sector entities who have joined hands with us in driving renewable energy initiatives.

“An example of this would be the recently launched government project which is funded by the European Union and implemented by the

RESEMBID programme… titled, transitioning towards green energy in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

The project, which is divided into four initiatives designed to support the territory’s goal of transitioning towards sustainable energy, will see the installation of solar PV systems at necessary public CONTINUED

Farming in schools celebrates one year

One year later and students are now reaping the fruits of their labour since the introduction of farming in the school curriculum.

‘Farming in schools is a collaborative venture of the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture.

In May 2022, when it was first introduced, the goal was to help students create avenues

for success while ensuring they are given every opportunity to enhance skills and understanding in the fields that lead to social and economic growth for the territory.

Schools were provided with the necessary resources, such as pots, tools, soil, seed, irrigation, and fencing. In addition, teachers were trained by the departments

of education and agriculture on establishing a farm and integrating farming concepts across various subject areas.

Since that time, schools have been reaping various fruits and vegetables that are sold to members of the community as a means of teaching entrepreneurship. In some cases, reaped vegetables were used to make breakfast for students in the morning.

The Education Department thanks Mario Smith from the Department of Agriculture for his technical and informational support throughout the program.

“His expertise and guidance have been an integral part of the overall success. In addition, the teachers and teachers have worked relentlessly to upkeep their farms this academic year.”

Objectives of the project are to develop practical skills, knowledge, and appreciation for the field of Agricultural Science; to develop an understanding of farming, care for animals, and food production; and to encourage the use of practical, hands-on learning

outside the classroom to enhance the requirements of the national curriculum.

The project also aims to improve self-efficacy (entrepreneurship) among the nation’s youth; encourage the development of students' social and emotional development through teamwork

and develop a clear understanding of healthy eating.

The Farming in Schools project has been implemented in fifteen public schools and piloted in two private schools.

More schools are expected to be added to the new 2023/2024 term programme.

welcome letters from all members of the public on a variety of topics

Solar street lights and rooftops PV ...

facilities along with resilient solar streetlights.

“I am happy to report that this phase of the project has just completed the tendering process to a comprehensive review of applicable laws, regulations, and policies related to a smooth transition towards green energy.”

“We continue to press forward to achieve the government's mandate to better this country and the lives of our people through the advancement of comprehensive policy frameworks that will encourage investment in renewable energy projects and incentivise the adoption of sustainable practices”, she added.

PROJECT SCOPE

The overall objective of this project is to contribute to the acceleration of a reliable, resilient, and the environmentally sustainable

energy sector in TCI (renewable energy penetration rate) and strengthen the territory’s capacity for sustainable energy transition through investment in capacity building; the development of modern legislative and regulatory frameworks.

Against this backdrop, the projects aim to create long-term and meaningful change within the energy sector and across public systems, according to RESEMBIDS’ tender (document) fact- sheet obtained by the Weekly News.

In this regard, the first component of the projects is the catalytic pilot energy projects which will be achieved with the use of solar PV microgrids.

At the end of the project, a solar roof-top feasibility, and structural assessment of five essential government critical facilities

(including four clinics and TCI’s disaster management headquarters) for solar PV and energy efficiency upgrades will be conducted.

The necessary data to support the project will be collected and analysed, including a capacity needs assessment (CNA).

The catalytic pilot energy projects will be implemented to reduce TCI’s dependency on imported fossil fuels. Additionally, the tender document noted that energy audits will be conducted to assist in designing Solar PV systems and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for the critical facilities identified.

The document revealed that some 140 hurricane-resilient solar streetlights will be installed on North Caicos (25), Middle Caicos (15), South Caicos (20), Grand Turk (30), Salt Cay (10), and

Providenciales (40).

The second component of the project targets applicable laws and regulations, and policies related to the national energy transition. This will see a comprehensive review of existing energy legal and regulatory frameworks, including the electricity ordinance, customs ordinance, physical development ordinance, development manual, building code, energy policy, and housing policy. Proposed amendments will be made to existing applicable laws, regulations, and policies in TCI.

A strategy for the market transition towards efficient energyconsuming products and appliances will be developed in accordance with the criteria of the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ).

The third component aims to stimulate national conversations,

interests, and knowledge awareness about sustainable energy and TCI's green energy transition.

While the fourth component deals with improved institutional capacity building for energy transition and economic diversification.

It is envisaged that at the end of the projects, the local capacity of TCI residents to participate in the transition towards green energy will be enhanced.

The territory’s exposure and vulnerability to the local energy sector was evident following an active 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season, where Hurricane Irma (a category five) and Hurricane Maria (a category three) ripped off roofs, caused significant flooding throughout communities, and destroyed utility poles resulting in mass power outages.

TCREA wraps up successful round two of its real estate mentorship programme

The Turks and Caicos Real Estate Association (TCREA) has completed round two of its pioneering mentorship programme aimed at fostering a passion for real estate in high school leavers and first-year college students.

On Saturday, June 3, mentees of the second round returned to the TCREA headquarters to mark the culmination of their transformative journey. Surrounded by their mentors, Honourable Rachel Taylor and Programme Director Trevor Musgrove, the mentees sat their final exams, each delivering a captivating elevator pitch showcasing their growth and understanding of the profession.

Building on the success of the inaugural round, the TCREA Mentorship Programme, launched under the guidance of TCREA Ambassador Trevor Musgrove, continues to provide high-school and first-year college students with invaluable exposure to the real estate industry through live mentorship sessions and a close connection to the country’s premier industry experts.

The second cohort saw more sister island participation, a goal of Musgrove’s. Included were ten students from Providenciales, two from North Caicos, one from South Caicos, and two from Grand Turk. This was especially applauded by Minister Taylor, whose endorsement of the programme came with financial support to ensure it was accessible to students across all islands.

“I’m especially pleased to see that the programme has attracted interest from each of our islands,”

Hon Taylor said, adding: “We must ensure that our young people are exposed to the lucrative opportunities available to them here at home.”

Commending the vision of the association and its Ambassador she continued: “When I first received Trevor’s proposal, he captured a focus on communication, critical thinking, leadership skills, and camaraderie. These aligned with our push to use exposure and education to address the soft skills gaps that exist in our country. I have followed the programme closely, and we are committed to providing continued support.”

She concluded, “This is a career our young people should seriously consider. Who better to sell Turks and Caicos real estate than a Turks & Caicos Islander.”

Throughout the programme, the mentees enjoyed monthly interactions with the best of the local real estate landscape: Blair MacPherson of RE/MAX, Vernica Delancy of Keller Williams, Nina Siegenthaler and Lisa Lopes of Sotheby's Turks and Caicos, and Sean O'Neill from The Agency Turks and Caicos, Musgrove’s partner.

O'Neill, a second-time mentor for the programme shared his

sentiments: "It has been an absolute pleasure being a part of the programme. Witnessing the dedication and growth of these young individuals has been wonderful. They have embraced the knowledge we’ve shared with great enthusiasm and determination, and I am confident they will make significant contributions in the future. It is an honour to share this profession with them, and we are all excited at the thought of seeing the next generation of agents emerge from this initiative."

The programme has provided mentees with a comprehensive understanding of the profession's technical and practical aspects. They have gained knowledge in industry terminology, listing acquisition, marketing, sales techniques, professional etiquette, and the importance of adhering to a strict code of ethics. The programme's highlight was an open house exercise, where the teens showcased a luxury penthouse at the Wymara Resort on Grace Bay Beach to a group of mock buyers made up of community professionals.

Emmanuel Morancy, one of this year’s mentees, shared his feelings about the overall experience during the closing session: “This taught me a lot. It increased my interest in the profession and showed me how to sharpen my competitive skills. I was very impressed to realize that even though the mentors all work for competing agencies, they also collaborate and assist each other under the banner of TCREA. That was inspiring to see.”

In recognition of their achievements and commitment,

Musgrove presented certificates of participation and appreciation to the mentees and mentors. The closing ceremony concluded with a celebratory lunch, generously sponsored and hosted by Big Al's Island Grill in The Salt Mills, Grace Bay.

Many first- and second-year mentees have expressed an interest in rejoining the programme, which is a testament to its impact.

“It is truly encouraging to see the positive response from the community and the excitement expressed by the young people we have had the pleasure of mentoring,” Musgrove, a two-time TCREA Ambassador, said.

He said the initiative was designed to offer the young people industry expertise which they will in turn combine with their fresh perspectives.

Musgrove’s second term as Ambassador ends in just a few months.

He said: “I am pleased with what we have developed in the last two years. We achieved our goal of having all islands included, which was of critical importance to us. I have been privileged to have the full support of my colleagues and the Ministry of Education.

“My role as TCREAAmbassador may be coming to an end, but my commitment to this programme has only been strengthened. My interest lies in giving our young people full access and a true gateway to success.

“As such, I will do my part to drive this initiative to its full potential far beyond my term as Ambassador.”

Mentees and mentors of the TCREA’s real estate mentorship programme wrap up round two (Photo courtesy of TCREA)

Several high-profile real estate personalities in TCI (seen here with the minister of education seated in the middle) mentor school leavers and college children. (Photo courtesy of TCREA)

World News

Three Britons dead after boat fire - tour operator

Three British people have died after a fire on a dive boat in the Egyptian Red Sea, the tour operator for the trip has said.

In a statement, Scuba Travel said the tourists’ families had been contacted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Twenty-six other people, including 12 Britons, were rescued

from the boat called Hurricane, authorities said. Initial reports suggest the fire, which started at 06:30 local time on Sunday, started after an electrical fault.

The BBC has contacted the Foreign Office, which has not yet confirmed the deaths - but earlier a spokesperson said British nationals

were being supported. The boat left Port Ghalib on 6 June and been due to return on Sunday.

“It is with great regret that we, as tour operator, with heavy hearts, must accept that three of our muchvalued dive guests... perished in the tragic incident,” said the statement from Scuba Travel.

Twenty-six other people, including 12 Britons, were rescued from the boat called Hurricane, authorities said

SALT CAY’S GROUNDHOG DAY:

Another year another developer

“Hi, I am So-and-So and I’ve come to Salt Cay to develop a resort”, proclaims a developer from Provo and the latest saviour of Salt Cay as he squeezes himself next to two Salt Cay “winter residents” aboard the Salt Cay Ferry on its morning run to the Capital. By the time the ferry had reached Grand Turk, the developer’s ego had increased by a multiple of four, as had the winter residents’ property values or at least in their imaginations. With that the rumour mill started to churn as it has done so many times in recent years at the merest hint of a project coming to Salt Cay’s fabled North Beach. There have been countless proposals, each supported by voluminous paperwork. In 2007/2008, almost the entire island was going to be turned into an ultra-high-end destination, with a development I’ll just refer to as “Six Senses Number 1”. In 2018, yet another attempt was made to revive some components of the Six Senses concept, let’s call this one “Six Senses Number 2”. After much speculation it too came to nothing. Another year, another developer. By the time 2019 rolled in, a team of developers landed on Salt Cay, flag in hand, with a proposal to create a high-end cruise port. The port

BY TITUS DE BOER

Titus de Boer was born in Hamburg and spent his formative years in the West Indies. After a formal education in Germany and subsequent training as a journalist, he moved to the TCI in 1989. These days he works as a residency consultant for Titan Services. (www.titanservices.biz). Readers wishing to contact Titus with ideas and/or suggestions for columns, can to so on tdbtci@aol.com.

would be open to all cruise lines, although favouring luxury brands so as to not compete with Grand Turk. Along came the pandemic which disrupted the plans and when the developers later considered revisiting the project, the newly established National Physical Development Plan (NPDP) thwarted their aspirations. The NPDP emphasised that due to its small size, limited infrastructure, fragile ecosystem and small population, Salt Cay was unsuitable for largescale cruise ship development. Instead, the plan recommends focusing on establishing exclusive, environmentally friendly boutique cruise experiences that prioritises quality over mass tourism.

In 2022, the Six Sense concept, for the sake of consistency let’s call it “Six Senses Number 3”, resurfaced only to fizzle out due to concerns regarding the allocation

of Crown Land. In late February of this year Cabinet stated it could not support the latest proposal but expressed a willingness to consider applications for low impact, low rise, high-value projects on Salt Cay. They went on to specify that the land allocation for such projects would be limited to a maximum of 50 acres. Not an insignificant amount of land if you reflect on Salt Cay’s size.

So, there you have the crux of the matter: the government wishes to restrict and manage any development plans for Salt Cay to prevent a “land grab” by any one single developer, which is understandable and abides by the principles of its “development bible”, the National Physical Development Plan. The Plan states in the section dealing with Salt Cay that, “Salt Cay could benefit from a few very high-end hospitality offerings that have a strong

environmental focus to minimise their environmental impact. This development would boost the local economy. New tourism should remain in keeping with the small size and population of Salt Cay as to not overwhelm the existing quaint island feel.”

The counter argument by several potential developers, who in recent years have expressed interest in the charmed isle, has been that due to the absence of any significant infrastructure, more land is needed to make any project on Salt Cay viable. To a degree, one can appreciate their argument, but I am not entirely convinced. Rather than solely focusing on acquiring land, a more prudent approach would be an investment in infrastructure development by both the private and public sectors, ensuring that ANY project on Salt Cay becomes viable, while also maintaining the island’s

charm and preserving its ecological integrity.

We arrive at the present day, and after a seemingly successful Salt Cay Day Weekend, which saw hundreds of people descend on Salt Cay for a good time, we’re back to that time of the year when the fifty or so people who live here permanently are once again blissfully aware of just how peaceful and quiet it is. In the words of my Provo bank manager, “Salt Cay is definitely where you go to retire, but not to build a career”.

Perhaps the time has come for a compromise. The first post-war German Minister of Economics, Ludwig Erhard once said, “A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes he has the biggest piece”. If this latest development proposal is to come to anything, compromise will have to be the order of the day. The government, with a degree of pragmatism, may have to reexamine its self-imposed 50-acre cap. While any future developers will have to refrain of such proposals that remotely resemble a land grab. Get this balance right and we may just end up – finally - with a longawaited win/win for Salt Cay! Once again, time will tell.

Salt Cay’s fabled North Beach. At the merest hint of a project coming to the Charmed Isle, the rumour mills start to churn. (Photo: Titus de Boer)

Salt Cay. Permanent population, fewer than fifty souls and in the words of one Providenciales observer, “a place where you go to retire - not to build a career”. (Photo: Titus de Boer)

According to the National Physical Development Plan (NPDP), Salt Cay could benefit from a few very high-end hospitality offerings that have a strong environmental focus. (Map: NPDP)

Greece boat disaster: Capsized boat had 100 children in hold—survivors say

Survivors from a fishing boat that sank off southern Greece in one of Europe’s worst migrant disasters say up to 100 children may have been on board.

At least 78 people have already been confirmed dead in the disaster.

But scores more could still be missing at sea, with reports suggesting that up to 750 people were aboard the vessel.

Greece’s public broadcaster ERT is reporting that 11 to 12 arrests have been made at the Kalamata Port Authority.

The country’s coastguard has been criticised for not intervening earlier but authorities say their offers of aid were refused.

Rescuers are still scouring the

seas off Greece in a massive search operation, as hopes of finding more survivors dwindle.

Shocking accounts of a large number of women and children travelling in the hold of the ship

have come via medics who treated the mostly male survivors.

The boat had reportedly been travelling from Libya to Italy before it capsized.

The senior doctor at Kalamata General Hospital who treated survivors of Wednesday’s shipwreck has told the BBC as many as 100 children were on the vessel.

Dr Manolis Makaris, head of cardiology, said: “They (the survivors) told us that there were children in the bottom of the ship. Children and women.”

He said two patients had given him estimated figures.

“One told me about 100 children, the other about 50, so I don’t know the truth - but it is

many,” he added.

Dr Makaris said he believed as many as 600 people could have died in the disaster.

“The exact number of all the people who were on the boat was 750. This is the exact number that everyone told me about this,” he said.

Dr Makaris said families of some Egyptian children who were missing had sent him photographs of their young relatives, in the hope he would recognise them after treating them.

“It was a tragedy,” he said. “Everyone in Europe must not accept this situation. We have to do something. Everyone has to do something so it doesn’t happen again.”

The Greek coastguard released images of the crowded boat before it went down

Bahamas: Passport Office sees influx of applications after Privy Council citizenship ruling

Widespread coral bleaching predicted for the Caribbean

The Barbados-based Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) Monday said that with El Niño conditions expected this year, the bleaching outlook for the Caribbean is not positive at this point in time and that widespread bleaching of reefs is predicted for this season.

Weather experts have noted that El Niño, the natural climate phenomenon of warm temperature in the Pacific Ocean, has officially

begun, and it’s sure to affect weather patterns globally in conjunction with climate change.

In its latest publication of the Caribbean Coral Reef Watch, the CIMH said that there is notably warmer conditions throughout the Caribbean compared to this period in 2022 and that the entire region under coral bleaching watch or warning.

It predicts for the four month period June to September, “there is high probability coral bleaching

World Bank urging Caribbean nations to invest more in climate

The World Bank is advising small Caribbean countries that they accelerate private-sector development improving their respective investment climate.

In its latest report which was released on Friday and titled, “The Caribbean Regional Private Sector Diagnostic (RPSD)” the organisation noted measures to reduce cross-cutting constraints to private investment, such as gaps in connectivity and skills mismatches, and break the region’s current lowgrowth, low-productivity trend.

Countries covered by the report included Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St Kitts-Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent

and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

According to the World Bank, these countries “face major crosscutting constraints and addressing them would foster an environment more conducive to trade, investment and growth”.

“These constraints are gaps in trade policy, trade facilitation, and connectivity; skills mismatches; limited access to finance, especially for small and medium enterprises; and vulnerability to climate change,” it added.

World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean countries, Lilia Burunciuc, further advised that to realise the economic potential of the Caribbean, there is a need

heat stress will reach and exceed Alert Levels One and Two for most of the Caribbean”.

It said the near real-time satellite Bleaching Alert Area and modelled Four Month Outlook for the Caribbean both indicate extensive Alert Levels One and Two conditions could be expected throughout the region, from mid-August to late September, potentially persisting for multiple weeks into October.

(Loop Caribbean)

ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder said the passport office has received an influx of applications following the recent Privy Council ruling granting citizenship to children born out of wedlock to Bahamian men.

Last month, Immigration Minister Keith Bell said about 1,500 applications for Bahamian citizenship at the Department of Immigration would have been affected by the Privy Council ruling.

Officials have struggled to determine how many people now expect to be recognised as citizens because their unwed father is a Bahamian and their mother is a foreigner.

However, this week, Mr Pinder said those applications would have been to the passport office pursuant to the recent ruling.

“That number is probably higher now because I think that was a few weeks ago that that report was given and applications continuously roll in,” the attorney general said yesterday.

“I had an opportunity to speak to the chief passport officer today and we have drafted and prepared amendments to the passport rules, amendments to the Naturalisation Act and amendments to the Registrar General framework in order to be able to put the institution required to be able to attend to these applications.

The Caribbean continues to suffer from problems associated with climate change

to bolster regional linkages and economic diversification and move to greener and more inclusive growth.

The report further added that the Caribbean countries suffer from frictions that raise their cost of trade and hamper their competitiveness.

It explained that tariff and non-tariff measures, weak trade

facilitation, and poor transport connectivity make trade expensive and depress export volumes.

In this regard, the World Bank recommended the establishment of national and regional trade facilitation committees, digitisation and simplification of trade procedures, and increase of supply and efficiency of air and

marine cargo shipping.

The study also examined two key sectors; the digital economy and renewable energy, in which greater private investment could contribute to export diversification and job creation, enhance productivity, and strengthen resilience to climate change and natural disasters. (Loop Caribbean)

Coral Bleaching is the region is expected to be amplified from June to September

Attorney General Ryan Pinder

Regional News

Success for Haiti is success for CARICOM – regional leaders

As regional leaders and former leaders came together in Kingston this week for the opening ceremony of the Meeting of Haitian Stakeholders, who will use Jamaica as base for discussions on the way forward for the beleaguered CARICOM nation, it was Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis who spoke at length about the hopes and aspirations for the violence-torn republic.

Davis, who also serves as the current chairman of CARICOM, said a successful resolution to Haiti’s issues would amount to success for all member states of CARICOM.

“The responsibility falls to all of us, to all of you to make a supreme effort to find an effective solution. The challenges and struggles taking place in the Republic of Haiti have been present for far too long,” Davis said.

“If there existed a perfect solution, we probably would have found one by now, and so I think it is important that we recognise that [what] we are striving for may, in the end, not be perfect, but will likely be something that in the immediate time, is effective; something that saves lives; something that brings an end to killings; something that brings an end to the rapes; something that brings an end to the kidnapping and violence; something that brings an end to the loathing and the robberies and the gang warfare,” added the Bahamas head of government, who said he was raised on Christian faith and spoke from those principles.

“This is why we have come. We have come to help and not because the task is easy. We have come here precisely because the task is extremely difficult … . My friends, we’re here to help. Ultimately,

(L-r) The leaders of the Bahamas, Jamaica and Haiti

there must be a Haitian solution led by the Haitian people. We’ve heard the many cries for help, but we cannot, in good conscience, stand by and watch the continued suffering of the Haitian people.”

Davis’s comments were preceded by those of Andrew Holness, prime minister of Jamaica, the host nation for the Haiti talks, who noted that his country supported the process of inclusive and open dialogue and efforts to find solutions and approaches to Haiti’s ongoing challenges.

“It is encouraging to see represented here today stakeholders from a broad spectrum of sectors of

Haitian society, and I am pleased to note that some of you were part of our earlier engagement in Portau-Prince [the capital of Haiti],” Holness said.

“This is a visible demonstration of your individual and collective will to bring positive change to the difficult situation in your beloved country.”

That difficult situation, in recent years, has been reflected in the powerful gangs that have been infiltrating once-peaceful communities in the Haitian capital and beyond, with experts estimating that they control about 60 per cent of the capital.

They have pillaged neighbourhoods, raped adults and children, and kidnapped hundreds of victims, ranging from US missionaries to a hot dog street vendor in a bid to control more territory, with violence worsening since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Haiti has failed to hold elections since Moïse’s murder and Prime Minister Ariel Henry assumed power shortly after, promising that his administration would do so. In early January, the terms of the remaining 10 senators expired, leaving no elected officials in place. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Cabinet

stolen with CXC papers, investigation ongoing

Another breach has been confirmed by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC®).

According to a release from the Council, they were informed that fireproof cabinets containing examination papers for nine subjects scheduled to be administered this week, were stolen from a school in Jamaica.

“This is of grave concern to CXC® and the matter is being investigated by the Ministry of National Security and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). CXC® is in constant contact with the Ministry of Education and Youth in Jamaica

and an update was shared with the Ministries of Education from across the region at a meeting earlier today.”

CXC® is now determining the course of action and will communicate with the Ministries of Education today.

The Council promises to share any further information with the media and public as it becomes available.

This comes weeks after the Mathematics paper leak on May 17, 2023, was confirmed and on that occasion the examining body took the decision to avoid a resit.

(Loopnews)

UK refuses to budge on rejection of Bermuda’s cannabis bill

BRITAIN is sticking by its decision to recommend withholding assent to the Bermuda Cannabis Licensing Bill 2022.

David Rutley, parliamentary under-secretary at the Foreign Office, responded to a parliamentary question from Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell about whether Britain would consider reviewing the decision.

Mr Rutley said that the Bill was “inconsistent with international obligations held by the UK and Bermuda under United Nations conventions”.

He added: “The decision to reserve the Bermuda Cannabis Licensing Bill for the signification of Her Majesty was made by the Governor of Bermuda acting in accordance with her constitutional

role, as it appeared to her to be inconsistent with the UK’s international obligations.

“The former foreign secretary then considered the Bill and concluded that, as drafted, it was inconsistent with international obligations held by the UK and Bermuda under UN conventions. On that basis, assent could not legitimately be given.

This leak comes weeks after the Mathematics paper leak on May 17, 2023, was confirmed and on that occasion the examining body took the decision to avoid a resit

The UK said it is willing to discuss new proposals on cannabis legislation

World News

Boris Johnson deliberately misled parliament, UK report says

BORIS Johnson deliberately misled the British parliament in an unprecedented way over rule-breaking parties at his office during COVID-19 lockdowns, a committee said on Thursday in a damning verdict that further tarnished the former prime minister

Almost a year ago, Johnson was talking about remaining prime minister into the 2030s. But the privileges committee - the main disciplinary body for lawmakerssaid on Thursday he should now be stripped of having automatic access to parliament.

The committee also accused Johnson of being “complicit in a campaign of abuse and attempted intimidation” towards them.

In typically combative style Johnson, who in 2019 led the Conservatives to a landslide election victory, dismissed the report as “a lie” and “a charade”, and accused committee members of waging a vendetta against him.

The stand-off will do little to heal the deep divisions in the Conservatives and can only pile pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose push to try to boost Britain’s flagging economy is being overshadowed by the ongoing Johnson drama.

The more than 100-page report detailed six events held at Downing Street, the prime minister’s offices and residence.

“We conclude that in deliberately

Johnson resigned from parliament last week after seeing an advance copy of the report

misleading the House Mr Johnson committed a serious contempt,” the committee said:

“The contempt was all the more serious because it was committed by the prime minister, the most senior member of the government. There is no precedent for a prime minister having been found to have deliberately misled the House (of Commons, lower house of parliament).”

It recommended that he should not be entitled to a former member’s pass, which enables most former prime ministers and lawmakers to gain automatic

New York jury votes to indict man who strangled NYC subway rider

A New York grand jury has indicted a former US Marine who was filmed placing a homeless man in a fatal chokehold on a subway train, reports say.

The decision comes after prosecutors last month charged Daniel Penny with second-degree manslaughter for killing street performer Jordan Neely.

The grand jury decision was necessary for prosecutors to formally charge Mr Penny, who is free on bail.

Mr Penny says he was acting in self-defence during the 1 May incident.

A lawyer for Mr Neely’s family told CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, that the family had been informed of the grand jury’s decision.

The formal charging document is expected to be revealed at a later

date. If found guilty of seconddegree manslaughter, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

The 24-year-old former Marine was arrested on 12 May after initially being allowed by police to leave the scene of Mr Neely’s death. He was placed in handcuffs and led into a police station before being released on a $100,000 (£80,000) in-cash bail.

On Sunday, Mr Penny released a video on social media saying he did not intend to kill Mr Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man who was reportedly shouting at subway riders before the struggle began.

“There’s a common misconception that Marines don’t get scared,” he said in the video.

“We’re actually taught one of our core values is courage, and courage is not the absence of

that was the case.

Instead, it said, Johnson was “deliberately disingenuous when he tried to reinterpret his statements to the House to avoid their plain meaning and reframe the clear impression that he intended to give”.

It said that were Johnson still a member of parliament, it would have recommended a suspension from the House of Commons for 90 days.

“DAMNING”

Johnson resigned from parliament last week after seeing an advance copy of the report, calling the inquiry a “witch hunt”, a criticism he made again after its publication.

COVID-19. The committee did not accept his defence.

The Labour Party said the report was “damning”.

“While Rishi Sunak is distracted with the ongoing Tory soap opera people are crying out for leadership on the issues that matter to them,” said Thangam Debbonaire, a member of Labour’s top team.

A former Johnson aide said the report did little more than confirm his “semi-retirement” from where he would still exert “huge influence” over the Conservative Party.

access to parliament. Parliament will consider the committee’s recommendation on Monday.

Asked about the report’s conclusions, a spokesman for Sunak said the prime minister had not as yet read it but he believed the committee had carried out the inquiry properly and “that it would not be right to traduce or criticise the work” of it.

he committee, made up of four Conservatives and three opposition lawmakers, rejected Johnson’s defence that the gatherings were within the rules and that his advisers had supported his belief

“I believed, correctly, that these events were reasonably necessary for work purposes. We were managing a pandemic,” he said in a statement.

He said the report marked a “dreadful day” for members of parliament (MPs) and for democracy. “This decision means that no MP is free from vendetta, or expulsion on trumped up charges by a tiny minority who want to see him or her gone from the Commons,” he said.

He accused the committee of using mystical powers to see things that he had not seen at Downing Street, when, he said, he was duty bound to thank staff who were departing or for their work on

Johnson has apologised for his conduct but repeatedly denied deliberately misleading parliament, saying he took advice from his aides that his office were following the rules.

But so-called Partygate spelt the beginning of the end for his tenure as prime minister. A rebellion in the Conservative Party last year, when ministers resigned en masse, forced him in July to say he would step down. He left office in September.

He resigned from parliament last week, ending his time as a so-called backbench lawmaker who continued to wield significant influence within the Conservatives that at times undermined Sunak’s authority.

They have also rowed this week over the former prime minister’s resignation honours list. (Reuters)

fear but how you handle fear,” he added, saying he felt compelled to confront Mr Neely as he acted erratically towards passengers.

“I was scared for myself but I looked around there were women and children, he was yelling in their faces saying these threats. I just couldn’t sit still.”

Video of the incident captured

by a freelance journalist on the train shows the former Marine holding Mr Neely around the neck for two minutes and 55 seconds.

In the video released on Sunday, Mr Penny said the whole interaction was less than five minutes.

“I was listening to music at the time, and he was yelling, so I took my headphones out to hear what he

was yelling,” he said.

“And the three main threats that he repeated over and over was ‘I’m going to kill you,’ ‘I’m prepared to go to jail for life,’ and ‘I’m willing to die.’”

Family of Mr Neely say that the second-degree manslaughter charge should be upgraded to murder

Daniel Penny was arrested on preliminary charges last month

World News

US holds interest rates steady in first since 2022

The US central bank has announced it will hold interest rates steadythe first time it has opted against a rise in more than a year.

The Federal Reserve kept the target for its benchmark rate at 5%-5.25% saying it wanted time to assess the impact of rate hikes so far.

The bank has already raised rates 10 times since March 2022 as it battles to bring inflation under control.

Bank forecasts show most officials expect rates to rise further.

A majority expect the Fed’s key rate to stand above 5.5% at the end of the year and one person sees it climbing above 6%.

Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell said the bank was still waiting for evidence that inflation was slowing “decisively” - though it has come down sharply from its peak last year, as the shock to food and energy prices from the war in Ukraine subsides.

“We’re just not seeing a lot of progress,” he said. “We’re going to have to keep at it.”

Consumer prices rose 4% in the 12 months to May, climbing just 0.1% from a month earlier, the Labor Department reported on Tuesday.

But that remains higher than the

2% rate the bank considers healthy. Prices for many items beyond food and energy continue to rise steadily.

The Fed has already lifted its benchmark rate to the highest levels since 2007 to try to rein in the increases.

Further rises, after a pause, would follow a path carved out by central banks in countries such as Australia and Canada, which recently announced rate hikes following a break, citing stubborn inflation pressures. The European Central Bank is expected to raise rates at its meeting this week.

In the US, Mr Powell said officials wanted time to assess how the economy was adjusting to the shift to higher rates, as the change ripples out to the public in the form of higher costs for mortgages, business loans, credit cards and other borrowing.

“Given how far we’ve come, it may make sense for rates to move higher but at a more moderate pace,” he said.

In theory, higher borrowing costs should reduce demand for loans for homes, business expansions and other activity, eventually cooling the economy and easing pressures pushing up prices.

But despite pockets of pain, such as a sharp slide in home sales,

The bank has already raised rates 10 times since March 2022 as it battles to bring inflation under control

the economy has held up better than many expected so far.

Fed policymakers now expect the economy to grow 1% this year - stronger growth than anticipated in March, according to projections that accompanied the rate announcement. The unemployment rate is also forecast to be 4.1%, lower than previously estimated.

The estimates also show they see less progress controlling inflation than in March.

Mr Powell said what the Fed will do at its next meeting remains a “live” question. He added that he saw no chance that rates would come down this year.

The three major US indexes fell following the announcement, which suggested rates would end the year higher than markets had expected.

“The Fed had to do something to knock market optimism today, otherwise it risked a tougher inflation fight and deeper economic woes down the line,” said Seema Shah, chief global strategist at Principal Asset Management.

Charles Lieberman, chief investment officer at Advisors Capital Management, said the pause was a recognition of the risk that the Fed’s jump in rates to more than 5% in less than 18 months could trigger an economic slowdown that would lead to millions of job losses.

The bank is also trying to account for the impact of a string of recent bank failures, which could reduce lending further.

“Five percentage points is just absolutely enormous .... So this is a big impact,” said Mr Lieberman, who previously worked at the

Federal Reserve Bank of New York. “It doesn’t mean they’re necessarily done.”

Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG in the US, said the public should not expect a return to lower rates anytime soon.

She said the economy generally has become “much more inflation prone” due to factors such as increased geo-political tensions, a move to more regional supply chains, and extreme weather events upsetting food supplies and prices more frequently.

“You’re going to see a much more activist central bank policy with higher bouts of inflation and bouts of rate hikes than we saw from the world we left,” she said.

“A pause is not an end,” she added. “They don’t want to let their guards down yet with regard to inflation.” (BBC)

Southern Baptists expel US churches with female pastors

The US’s largest Baptist denomination has voted to expel two churches for having female pastors.

A vote by Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) members found Southern Californian megachurch Saddleback and Kentucky’s Fern Creek Baptist Church were “not in friendly cooperation” with SBC, the Baptist Press reported.

SBC’s mission statement says the office of pastor should be “limited to men.”

Fern Creek’s pastor told CBS News it was a “sad day for Southern Baptists”.

SBC is an association of more than 47,000 Baptist churches with a membership of more than 13 million, the group’s website says.

The church is a protestant denomination of Christianity, with congregations led by pastors.

In total, five churches have been

women of God, as we continue to proclaim the gospel. Why they want to get rid of folks like us, makes no sense,” Fern Creek Pastor Linda Barnes Popham said after the vote.

She said the message the expulsion sends to millions of female members of SBC churches is “you are not valued.”

“Messengers voted for conformity and uniformity rather than unity,” added Rick Warren, retired founding pastor of Saddleback - which was SBC’s second-largest congregation.

that SBC-affiliated churches should employ “only men as any kind of pastor or elder as qualified by Scripture” - though that is subject to approval at next year’s convention.

Mike Law, a pastor at Arlington Baptist Church in Texas, said the amendment “puts us all on the same page about what a pastor is, and who a pastor is: a biblically qualified man.”

expelled from SBC for

led by women.

Two were overwhelmingly voted out at SBC’s annual convention in New Orleans after they had tried to appeal their expulsions, the Baptist

Press - which describes itself as SBC’s official news service - said. The other three did not appeal.

“This is a sad day for Southern Baptists because they are losing gifted and talented and called

“The only way you will have unity is to love diversity. We made this effort knowing we were not going to win.”

Following the two churches’ expulsion, a constitutional amendment was also passed at SBC’s annual convention stating

But Bob Bender, a pastor at Bross Fellowship Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, opposed the motion. “Should not title and function be synonymous?” he asked in quotes cited by the Baptist Press.

“Let’s not give women responsibilities to shepherd other women, children or youth and not have their title line up with their responsibilities.”

Voting was done by Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) members

being

Applicant must be very good in handling elderly people, honest reliable.

Assisting with all my needs bathing, changing and feeding etc. Salary: $8.00

CONTACT: 342-4472

Cleaning outside the property, pick up yard waste, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes.

CONTACT: 245-3160/232-9261

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

$8.00

CONTACT: 342-4472

DOMESTIC WORKER

DOMESTIC WORKER

sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, restroom cleaning etc.

DOMESTIC WORKER

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework.

CONTACT: 348-4698

Mixes mortar; lays bricks and stones; makes and repair plasters.

CONTACT: 241-6234

CONTACT: 341-9001

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and door frames. Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 344-5296

MAINTENANCE WORKER

Cleaning property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 241-5138

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and door frames. Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 332-9284

House cleaning, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework.

LABOURER

Cleaning yard, windows and doing repairs in the home.

Uses equipment like nets, fishing rods, and traps, to catch fish and other marine life that will be consumed by humans or used as animal feed or bait.

Salary: $8.00

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework.

Salary: $9.00 Hourly

CONTACT: (649) 247-0682 37089

BELONGERS APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL

CONTACT: 246-6464 37102

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

CONTACT: 344-0689 37094

AUTO SALES

REAL ESTATE

ELECTRONIC TECHNICIAN

Install, troubleshoot, repair and maintain production and facility equipment according to safety, predictive and productive maintenance systems.

Salary: $10.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 344-9004

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

ALAIN RONNEE ANNEE SIMLETT

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 243-0524

BELONGERS

DOMESTIC WORKER

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

CONTACT: 246-2122

MAINTENANCE MAN

Fix and maintain mechanical equipment, buildings, and machines. Plumbing work, painting, flooring repair and upkeep, electrical repairs, etc.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 231-6991

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL

DOMESTIC WORKER

Sweeping, mopping, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels, personal clothing, and other housework.

CONTACT: 343-8180

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves,

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

Basic manicures, artificial nails, hand massages, nail polishing and pedicures.

IS URGENTLY LOOKING FOR A

FLORIST

Applicant must have experience as a Floral Assistant or Florist. Must have extensive knowledge of tropical flowers, foliage and potted plants, including their names, seasonal availability and lifespan. Candidates must have experience using current styles in floral design while at the same time understanding the traditional use of certain flowers for weddings, funerals etc. salary commensurate with experience.

CONTACT: 231-3788

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

LOCS TRUCKING of 1125 Leeward Highway, Providenciales is seeking to employ a HEAVY

DUTY TRUCK DRIVER

- To operate a boom truck crane to lift, move, position or place equipment and materials

Basic Salary: $500 weekly

CONTACT: (649) 331-6926

Belongers only. renewal

ISLAND PAINTING TCI of 1125 Leeward Highway, Providenciales is seeking to employ a PAINTER

- To prepare walls & other surfaces before painting.

- To mix and apply paint varnishes, sealants for a lasting finish.

Basic Salary: $500 weekly

CONTACT: (649) 331-6926

Belongers only. renewal

CUTTING EDGE

LANDSCAPING AND DESIGNS

of Five Cays, Providenciales is seeking to employ a LANDSCAPER

- To build and maintain gardens and other outdoor landscapes.

-To ensure plant growth and cleanliness of outdoor facilities.

Basic Salary: $10 per hour

CONTACT: (649)247-0607

Belongers only. renewal

G&G CONSTRUCTION of Blue Hills is seeking to employ a CARPENTER

-To structure installation and fixtures, shaping or cutting materials to a specified measurement. .

Basic Salary: $10 hourly

CONTACT: (649)241-1096

Belongers only. renewal

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS GAMING CONTROL COMMISSION

205A REGENT VILLAGE, GRACE BAY, PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS. PH: 649-338-5152

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Turks and Caicos Islands Gaming Control Commission to Conduct Survey on Gaming Habits and Responsible Gaming Practices

The Turks and Caicos Islands Gaming Control Commission have announced a new survey to investigate the prevalence of gambling addictions and the effectiveness of responsible gaming practices in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This survey is part of a wider initiative to promote responsible gaming and protect individuals and families from the negative consequences associated with problem gambling.

Leonardo Lightbourne, the Responsible Gaming Coordinator from the Commission will lead the survey research. Mr. Lightbourne stated that “The Gaming industry has grown significantly over the past decades in the Turks and Caicos Islands; with proper research and policies, measures can be put in place to protect individuals and families from problem gaming.”

The survey will collect data from a representative sample of the Turks and Caicos Islands population to comprehensively analyze the gambling behavior and attitudes of the locals and tourists. The primary objective of this survey is to investigate the prevalence of gambling addiction in the Turks and Caicos Islands and to identify the effectiveness of responsible gaming practices in mitigating problem gambling.

Click on the link below to complete the survey for a chance to win a $150 Gas Voucher or a $150 IGA Gift Voucher: https://www. surveymonkey.com/ r/58TCBD9

For more information on the survey or the Responsible Gaming Initiative, please contact the Turks and Caicos Gaming Commission at info@tcigamingcc.tc or call 649-338-5152.

BRUTUS LANDSCAPING

GARDENER

Soil cultivation, digging, and forking, mulching, watering, raking, weeding, edging, pruning, seed sowing, bed preparation and planting.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-343-1420

BELONGERS ARE TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL

37052

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 231-7363

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

DOMESTIC WORKER

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 345-7819

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD

JOB VACANCIES

WO (2) OSP FIBRE ENGINEER

P RIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE JOB:

The OSP Fibre Engineer is responsible for the engineering, construction, maintenance, installation, and commissioning of the company’s fibre optic network and related services. This Position requires strong communication and organizational skills, ability to multi-task, problem solve and the ability to work well with a team as well as independently. FTTH Telecommunication industry experience is a plus.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR JOB:

• A first degree (ASc., BSc.) or an equivalent qualification in Electrical, Electronics or Engineering

• 3-5 years of experience with OSP underground and aerial telecommunication engineering

• Ability to work independently, in a team environment, and work on multiple projects simultaneously

• Experience in both buried, direct buried and overhead cabling methods

• Working Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is considered a plus

• Advanced knowledge of the planning, design and engineering of OSP fibre optic networks.

• Knowledge of the standards, materials, techniques and equipment used in the installation, maintenance, and repair of OSP fiber optic facilities

• Possess a valid driver’s license and meet the company’s insurance carrier’s criteria for coverage under the company’s insurance policy

• Ability to drive manual transmission vehicle

DEADLINE: Positions open to all qualified Turks and Caicos nationals. Interested applicants can forward their resumes to https://careers. digicelgroup.com The closing date for applications is June 30, 2023. Salary range from 45,000.00 – 50,000.00

FTTH TECHNICAL LEAD

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF THE JOB:

• Manage and Coordinate the overall activities of the Network Switching, IP, Mobile Packet core, Transmission, RF and Cable HFC, FTTH network ensuring a high quality of service.

• Manage communication and support the Hub and Technical support centre functional areas.

• Oversee budget & spend for the various nodes & operation of above responsibilities

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• MBA, BSc. Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science or similar

• 5-10 yrs experience in the Telecommunication Industry

• 2 years experience in Management role

DEADLINE: Positions open to all qualified Turks and Caicos nationals. Interested applicants can forward their resumes to https://careers. digicelgroup.com The closing date for applications is June 30, 2023.

salary range from 65,000 – 70,000

37039

Behind

BLUE PARROT

LABOURER

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

Salary: $9.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-244-2527

BELONGERS ARE TO APPLY TO THE

DOMESTIC WORKER

Working hours are Mon-Fri, weekend and holidays when called upon.

Salary is $8.00 per hour, 8am-5pm. Successful Candidate will be cleaning office complex.

CONTACT: 649-946-4334

INFO@DEMPSEYANDCOMPANY.COM

CONSTRUCTION LABOURER LABOURER LABOURER

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

JEM HOSPITALITY

Has an immediate opening for the following positions for the East Bay Resort in South Caicos:

WATERSPORTS MANAGER

Must have at least five years (5) of experience in watersports and dive operations with a proven track record in scuba training/safety, boat diving operations, and retail sales. Must be a current Scuba Instructor (PADI, NAUI, or SSI); Captain’s License and STCW certificate are preferred. Must have boat, compressor, and repair and maintenance experience. Must be competent in Microsoft Office, Property Management Software, Blue Bison, TCP, and POS Systems and possess a valid Driver’s License. Salary Range – $35,000-$50,000, depending on experience.

A SSISTANT WATERSPORTS MANAGER

Must have at least five (5) years of experience in dive operations with a proven track record in scuba training/safety and retail sales. Must be 100% customer forward and current Scuba Instructor (PADI, NAUI, or SSI) Captain’s License and STCW certificate preferred. Boat, compressor, and maintenance experience is a plus. Competency in Microsoft Office, Property Management Software, Blue Bison, TCP, and POS Systems, and a valid Driver’s License. required. Salary Range – $25,000-$40,000, depending on experience.

EMAIL: MARSHA@MISICKSTANBROOK.TC

TEL. (649) 946-4732

FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER

LOCATION: GILLEY’S CAFE

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Manages and oversees all aspects of the organization’s food and beverage planning and service.

• Develop operating strategy and objectives, including preparing and administering the budget, financial forecasts, monitoring the P/L, maintaining cost control, and managing inventory control.

• Establish and enforce purchasing and inventory control procedures.

• Regularly review restaurant policies and procedures and identify ways to improve and/or streamline processes.

• Work with chefs to develop, review and/or revise menu/recipes, as appropriate.

• Develop and/or improve beverage programs as applicable.

• Hire, train, mentor, motivate and develop employees.

• Ensure kitchen, restaurant, and equipment are maintained in accordance with health, safety and sanitation standards.

• Maintain regular communications with outlet managers and executive leaders, ensuring all are kept informed of relevant staff, performance, and operations issues, and work with the same to identify and implement resolutions.

• Design and implement creative initiatives to enhance the food/guest service experience.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Service Management, Restaurant Management, or Hospitality. Advanced degree a plus.

• 7+ years’ culinary experience with a minimum of 3 years successfully managing F&B operations.

• Must be able to work with and understand financial information and basic arithmetic functions.

• Have the ability to analyze forecast data and make judgments to ensure proper production control

• Up-to-date knowledge of restaurant trends and best practices.

• Proficiency in MS Office and POS systems

• Be available to work hours beyond normal work hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays, and commit to availability during peak hours on Saturdays and Sundays, when needed.

• Ability to communicate effectively in English both in written format and oral presentation; second language is an asset

Interested persons kindly contact Human Resources on 946-4536 or email keisha@winecellar.tc

3 SENIOR PROJECT MANAGERS

37127

Plan and supervise a wide range of construction projects from start to finish, experience in managing large scale vertical construction projects is necessary. You will organize and oversee construction the construction team procedures and ensure they are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with engineers, architects etc. to determine the specifications of the project.

• Negotiate contracts with external vendors to reach profitable agreements.

• Determine needed resources (manpower, equipment, and materials) from start to finish with attention to budgetary limitations.

• Plan all construction operations and schedule intermediate phases to ensure deadlines will be met.

• Acquire equipment and material and monitor stocks to timely handle inadequacies.

• Hire contractors and other staff and allocate responsibilities.

• Supervise the work of all construction team members and give guidance when needed.

• Evaluate progress and prepare detailed progress reports.

• Ensure adherence to all health and safety standards and report issues.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven experience as construction project manager, minimum 10 years’ experience managing projects greater then USD $15 MIL.

• In-depth understanding of construction procedures and material and project management principles

• Familiarity with quality and health and safety standards

• Good knowledge of MS Office, MS Projects

• Familiarity with construction/ project management software Procore and Blue Beam

• Outstanding communication and negotiation skills

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills

• A team player with leadership abilities

Salary: $2000/weekly

Belongers are encouraged to send copy of their resume to Labour Board

MARSHA BLANCHE

CONTACT: 946-4472

EMAIL: GILLEY’SCAFE@TCIWAY.TC

1 DISHWASHER 1 DOMESTIC WORKER

• General cleaning of restaurant before and after opening.

• Remove eatery items from tables after use.

• Keep bathrooms tidy at all times.

• Must be willing to work 6 days per week.

• All other duties assigned by Management.

Salary: $8.00 per hour.

GALMO WILLIAMS

• Keeping the kitchen tidy at all times along with Restaurant area.

• Washing cookery and storing them away in respective places.

• Dispose of garbage in kitchen after cleaning.

• Al other duties assign by management.

Salary $8.00 per hour

CONTACT: INFO@WINECELLAR.TC

• To clean and maintain premises especially gardening.

• Removing all trash and debris inside and outside of premises.

• Secure all surrounding areas during employer absence.

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

KVANAR Ltd

is seeking a

FINISH CARPENTER

For immediate employment

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE NEEDED:

Hold a minimum of 4 years’ experience in the field of finish carpentry – including, but not necessarily limited to, internal doors & frames, baseboards, lumber roof finishes and millwork in general. Some experience in rough carpentry (formwork etc.) would be an asset – but not essential.

Have a concise understanding of all finish carpentry materials and be able to fully interpret, read and understand architectural and shop drawings and have a very high level of finishes experience.

Employee must be fluent in written and oral English. Other written and oral languages would be an asset (in particular French and Spanish). Employees will also need to be computer proficient as many drawings and schedules being used on site will be computer/tablet based not in the form of hard paper drawings.

Able to work under own direction and able to manage subordinates. Employee must be willing to work outside of the normal working hours of operation (weekends and public holidays) as may be reasonably necessary to complete any particular task as may be directed by the employer from time to time.

Salary $15 per hour (subject to overtime and public holiday pay where applicable)

Please email résumé and covering letter to info@kvanar.com and deliver a copy to our main office at the following address: 390 Leeward Highway, Long Bay, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands (Tel 649 333 2210).

Islanders applying for this position are encouraged, in addition to providing a copy of their resume and covering letter to the company, to provide the same to the TCIG Labor Board & Immigration Board for consideration.

This position is currently held by a work permit holder.

PLANT MANAGER

• 2ND in Command to GM, in conjunction with Operations Manager.

• Min 15 yrs experience in industrial & manufacture operations.

• Min 5 yrs Customer Service or Sales experience.

• University degree required.

• Responsible for management of entire facility including; production assessment, software systems & upgrades, building maintenance, repairs & expansion, equipment needs & purchases, truck maintenance, chemical inventory & orders.

• Parts inventory; implement system, manage, order & track online.

• Mechanical knowledge; understand & operate equipment.

• Technical knowledge; accurately discuss requirements with Vendors.

• Computer software proficiency; to operate all computerized equipment.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Exceptional computer skills and experience.

• Must be able to operate independently & responsibly.

• Critical thinking skills and experience required.

• Available to manage various shifts as required, to cover other Managers & Supervisors as needed.

• Must be fluent in English.

• Starting base salary US$120,000

ONLY QUALIFIED APPLICANTS PLEASE. EMAIL CV TO TANYA@PIONEERTCI.COM OR DELIVER TO PIONEER OFFICE. PLEASE FAX/DELIVER COPY TO TCI LABOUR OFFICE: 649-946-4164

COCO BISTRO

EXECUTIVE CHEF

Executive Chef Requirements:

• Proven experience as Executive Chef

• Exceptional proven ability of kitchen management

• Ability in dividing responsibilities and monitoring progress

• Outstanding communication and leadership skills

• Up-to-date with culinary trends and optimized kitchen processes

• Good understanding of useful computer programs (MS Office, restaurant management software, POS)

• Credentials in health and safety training

Salary: $60,000 per year

CONTACT: 946-5369

EMAIL: COCOBISTRO@TCIWAY.TC

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY / RENEWAL

LABOURER

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 241-5138

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

ISLAND VARIETY STORE

Blue Hills, Rony residence

345-6813

LABOURER

$8.00 hourly unloading container, assist with transporting goods, assist customers in out of the store with merchandise.

VERNA PAPIN

242-2880

Blue Hills

2 TRADESMAN

$9.00

Laying tile, blocks and doing carpenter work

VENARD ALCIN HANDFIELD

Glass Shack LABOURER

$8.00

Pick up waste, clean and maintain the cleanness of the premises.

EVERGREEN LANDSCAPING

331-7188

Millennium Highway

3 GARDENERS

$8.00 hourly soil cultivation, digging, forking, mulching, watering, raking, weeding, edging, pruning, seed sowing, bed preparation and planting

W & V

CONSTRUCTION

Kew Town

342-9278

LABOURER

$8.00

Pick up waste and maintaining and assist with ongoing construction on the property

CUTTING EDGE

LANDSCAPING & NURSERY

333-2621

Five Cays

LANDSCAPER

$12.00 hourly

Soil cultivation, digging, forking, mulching, watering, raking, weeding, edging, pruning, seed sowing, bed preparation and planting

HANDYMAN

Yard cleaning, tree trimming, debris disposal, shopping assistance and maintaining yard cleanliness at all times Honest, Reliable and willing to work.

$8.00 per hour

CONTACT: 347-6689

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

NANNY

Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, and etc.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 231-7125

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

STORE KEEPER

Clean the store, dusting, sweeping, mopping, clean ceiling vents, restroom cleaning, stock shelves, pick, pack, receive and restock products inside the store.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 341-7122

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD RENEWAL

CARIBBEAN TECH SOLUTION

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

CONTACT: 333-5032

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

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 343-7470

Performing a variety of cleaning activities such as sweeping, mopping, dusting and polishing. Ensuring all rooms inspected according to standards.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 348-7102

CHURCH

GOD

DOMESTIC WORKER

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

CONTACT: 242-6903

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

DOMESTIC WORKER

Dusting, sweeping, mopping, Windows,bathrooms,cleaning kitchen, living room,

CONTACT: 245-7869

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 242-0275

CONTACT: 341-0323

MINISTER/ EVANGELIST

Preparing weekly sermons preaching and conducting worship services, responsibility to interpret biblical scripture for the congregation provide care and counseling to church members.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

Kew Town, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a CLEAR VIEW WINDOW CLEANERS

Teach children and adolescents the fundamental principles of music and musicianship skills, music theory, basic notation. Salary: $8.00 Hourly.

FIRST TIME, BELONGER WILL BE GIVEN FIRST PREFERENCE.

$350 per week LABOURER

CONTACT: 231-0001

BELONGERS APPLY TO

ROBERTS

DOMESTIC WORKER

Duties: Cleaning outside the property with a sweeper, picking up yard waste and collecting leaves, disposing of trash, cleaning windows, and door frames.

Salary: $8 per hourly GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED.

Over back, GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a

ONE LABOURER DOMESTIC WORKER

Salary: $8 per hourly

Duties: Cleaning the house, sheets,launderingtowels and personal clothing, and housework.other

Salary: $8 per hourly

CONTACT: (649) 432-2435 36853

back, GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a COX & GABRIELLE FISHING CONTACT: 331-5915 36860 BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL Uses equipment like nets, fishing rods, and traps, to catch fish and other marine life. Salary: $450.00 weekly COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN 22 Contention Way, Blue Hills Is seeking to employ a CP APARTMENTS CONTACT: 1-649-346-7174 36885 BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. Salary: $8.00 Hourly LABOURER 37 Bible Street, Blue Hills, Providenciales, TCI Is seeking to employ a KAREN FAYE FORBES

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED.

$8 per hourly ONE GARDINER DOMESTIC WORKER GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a D & H CONSTRUCTION 36813 BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL Mixes mortar; lays bricks and stones and/or concrete sidewalks; makes and repairs steps and plasters. $9.00 Hourly MASON Blue Hills Is seeking to employ a CONTACT: 341-8493 DAREN HENSON CONTACT: 232-3037 36815 BELONGERS ONLY APPLY Skilled worker that can undertake any job as a helper by profession. Renewal, $15.00 Hourly Cleaning property, pick up yard waste, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. $10.00 Hourly LABOURER TRADESMAN 1 Tower Dr., Long Bay Is seeking to employ a DAVID GEORGE CAMPBELL CONTACT: 232-2717 36877 BELONGERS ONLY APPLY Cleaning property, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. $8.00 hourly Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. $8.00 hourly DOMESTIC WORKER LABOURER Blue Hills Is seeking to employ a DEAN’S WASTE COLLECTION CONTACT: 649-342-4272 36833 BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and door frames. Salary: $8.00 hourly LABOURER Chalk Sound Is seeking to employ a DESIGN BUILDERS ASSOCIATION 36901 Mixes mortar; lays bricks and stones and/ or concrete sidewalks; makes and repairs steps and plasters. Salary: $9.00 Hourly MASON 204 Grace Bay Road Is seeking to employ a BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD A WORK PERMIT HOLDER CURRENTLY HOLDS THIS POSITION CONTACT: 231-7139

(649) 232-6429 36850 BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED. Duties: Cleaning the house, sheets,launderingtowels and personal clothing, and housework.other

Salary:

Back Salina, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

CONTACT: 348-7428

BELONGERS ONLY

APPLY/RENEWAL

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

2 CLEANERS Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

(RENEWAL) Acting in bahalf of North Caicos Is seeking to employ a CONTACT: (649) 947-0561 CLYDE HOLIDAY CONTACT: 243-5231 37034 BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL Help patient and complete light housekeeping duties. Plan, prepare and monitor meals. Run errands, remind patients of medications. Stocking and supplying designated areas; sweeping, mopping, restroom cleaning etc.

CONSTRUCTION

Set up equipment, run lines for power tools, erect scaffolding, lay out tools, set up forms for the pouring of concrete foundations, clean worksite, and take down bracing and scaffolding.

Salary: $8.00

231-0337

D & B TILE

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS GAMING CONTROL COMMISSION

205A REGENT VILLAGE, GRACE BAY, PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS. PH: 649-338-5152

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Turks and Caicos Islands Gaming Control Commission to Conduct Survey on Gaming Habits and Responsible Gaming Practices

The Turks and Caicos Islands Gaming Control Commission have announced a new survey to investigate the prevalence of gambling addictions and the effectiveness of responsible gaming practices in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This survey is part of a wider initiative to promote responsible gaming and protect individuals and families from the negative consequences associated with problem gambling.

Leonardo Lightbourne, the Responsible Gaming Coordinator from the Commission will lead the survey research. Mr. Lightbourne stated that “The Gaming industry has grown significantly over the past decades in the Turks and Caicos Islands; with proper research and policies, measures can be put in place to protect individuals and families from problem gaming.”

The survey will collect data from a representative sample of the Turks and Caicos Islands population to comprehensively analyze the gambling behavior and attitudes of the locals and tourists. The primary objective of this survey is to investigate the prevalence of gambling addiction in the Turks and Caicos Islands and to identify the effectiveness of responsible gaming practices in mitigating problem gambling.

Click on the link below to complete the survey for a chance to win a $150 Gas Voucher or a $150 IGA Gift Voucher: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/58TCBD9

or more information on the survey or the Responsible Gaming Initiative, please contact the Turks and Caicos Gaming Commission at info@ tcigamingcc.tc or call 649-338-5152.

Performing a variety of cleaning activities such as sweeping, mopping, dusting and polishing. Ensuring all rooms are inspected according to standards.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 232-7318

LABOURER MASON

Cleaning outside the property, pick up yard waste, dispose of trash. $9.00 hourly

BELONGERS APPLY TO THE

BOARD

Y & G CAFETERIA

LABOURER DISHWASHER CHERY WATER SERVICES 37045

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. $8.00 hourly

Workstation preparation and maintain kitchen tidiness. $8.00 hourly

Washes dishes and keeps kitchen area clean. $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 346-8047

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

DIGICEL

TCI

Is seeking candidates who desire a career in Telecommunication

LABOURER

REQUIREMENTS:

• Adapting to a variety of tasks which could include cleaning our properties, organizing storage, cleaning windows and other general duties as required.

• At all times comply with company policies, procedures and instructions.

• Contribute to improving the business, protecting and enhancing the reputation of the company, by putting forward new ideas and, when requesting to do so, implementing change.

• Any other duties as assigned by the store supervisor, retail store manager, or operations manager.

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

DEADLINE: INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST FORWARD A COVER LETTER AND RESUME FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE DIRECTOR HUMAN RESOURCES TO HRTCI@DIGICELGROUP.COM.

THE

DATE

JUNE 30TH 2023

WIDLIN CLIMO

Help with heavy Lifting, loading and unload vehicle/storage. Cleaning up after jobs.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 649-231-2599

COOK

Setting up workstations. Preparing ingredients, chopping and peeling vegetables, cutting meat etc. Cooking food in various utensils or grillers.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 348-7456

ALIVE AND WELL RESORTS

WAITSTAFF

Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, and disciplining children when necessary. Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-342-5118

DOMESTIC WORKER

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

CONTACT: 341-4198

Applicant must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a hospitality/food and beverage environment in a luxury resort with private club experience; experience serving food & beverages to guests, clears and re-sets tables quickly & efficiently; is well groomed & very personable with excellent communication skills to converse with guests; maintains full knowledge of menu items; has experience working with POS & inventory systems; must be able to walk & stand for lengthy periods; willing to work long hours, weekends & holidays. Salary: $8.00/hr. Position held by work permit holder.

BARTENDER

Applicant must be a well-groomed energetic, personable, pleasant, & a professional team player; must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience working in a luxury resort; has excellent communication skills; good working knowledge of mixed beverages, and specialty liquors; has experience with POS and inventory systems, willing to work long hours, weekends & holidays. Salary: $9/hr. New Position

ASSISTANT COOK

MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE MAN

Applicant must hold a Diploma in Industrial Technology. Has a minimum of 5 years’ experience performing preventive maintenance & installation of generator systems, HVAC/AC systems, CCTV and AV systems, solar systems installation, and maintenance, working with various dimming & LED systems, water heaters, pool systems, water pumps. Applicant must be a strong communicator in the English language, be computer literate and must be able to read AutoCAD drawings. Applicant will be required to attend to guest repair requests 24/7 with maintenance activities in the guest room like plunging toilets, unclogging drains, repairing all types of hardware, mechanical, electrical, internet, key card access systems, & room safes. Applicant must be willing to work long hours, weekends, and holidays. Salary range: $20,000 - $24,000. Position held by work permit holder.

ASSISTANT FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR

SOUTH RESIDENTS

Install, troubleshoot, repair and maintain production and facility equipment according to safety, predictive and productive maintenance systems.

Salary: $10.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 348-1931

Applicant must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience working in a luxury resort, has excellent communication skills, with a focus on providing prompt, efficient & courteous service, be well-groomed, ensure the kitchen is clean and sanitized, has experience with POS and inventory control systems. Applicant must have experience in Chinese and Western cuisine, preparing food, plating dishes, and maintaining supplies. Willing to work long hours, weekends & holidays. Salary: $9/ hr. New Position

HOUSEKEEPER

Applicant must ensure the cleanliness and orderliness of the assigned rooms, work areas and equipment. Willing to work outside of normal hours, weekends & holidays; has experience using sanitation equipment such as extractors & floor polishers. Has experience maintaining necessary inventory system. Must be able to stand for long periods of time, climb stairs, and carry up to 20lbs. Minimum 5 years’ experience working in a luxury 5-star hotel/resort. Must be fluent in English with the ability to read and write. Salary: $8.00/hr. Position currently held by work permit holder.

Under the supervision of the Managing Director, Director of Finance, and the Resident Manager, the Assistant Financial Administrator performs accounting, payroll, treasury, secretarial & administrative duties for a various group of companies. Applicant must have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy. A minimum of 5 years of related experience in the construction, development, or resort property management fields. Have working knowledge of principles of payroll accounting, treasury operation and the general accounting process, maintain routine financial records, prepare financial reports, ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing. Willing to work outside of normal working hours. Salary range: $20,000 - $24,000. Position held by work permit holder.

BEACH ATTENDANT

Applicant must have a minimum 5 years’ experience working in a luxury 5-star hotel/resort. Have a good grasp of the English language to be able to speak with others using clear and professional language. Have a pleasant and professional demeanor to develop and maintain positive working relationships with others. Comply with quality assurance expectations and standards. Must be able to stand for long periods of time, and carry up to 25lbs. Oversee water activities on the beach; respond appropriately in the event of an emergency, and provide assistance to injured guests. Must be familiar with Microsoft Office, POS and inventory control systems. Able to work long hours, weekends & holidays. Salary: $8/hr. New Position

HAIR STYLIST

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

MAINTENANCE WORKER

Mixes mortar; lays bricks and stones and/or concrete sidewalks; makes and repairs steps and plasters.

CONTACT: 432-6611

DOMESTIC WORKER

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

DOMESTIC WORKER

Cleaning

CONTACT: 341-3579

CONTACT: 231-0309

CONTACT: 242-5654

CONTACT:

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 241-3247

CONTACT: 649-245-9452

Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons. Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems.

Salary:

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

SUNSHINE

Weekly TRUCK

ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL Transport materials and goods among manufacturing, distribution and retail centers. Inspecting vehicles for mechanical issues relating to safe operation, and basic repair work.

36834

Help with dressing, eating, bathing and complete light housekeeping duties. Plan, prepare and monitor meals. Reminds patient of medications.

$8.00 per hour

CONTACT: 242-7532/ SYRMOND_GRAY@HOTMAIL.COM

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

DOMESTIC WORKER

CAREGIVER

Duties: Cut, Trim hair and beards and Give

CONTACT: 431-7116

ONE TRAINEE ASSOCIATE

Applicants are required to have a graduate degree or other qualification that will allow them to commence professional accounting examinations, the costs of which will be borne by GT.

START DATE: SEPTEMBER 2023

Applications can be sent to contact@tc.gt.com

Turks & Caicos Islands no later than July 15, 2023

LABOURER

DOMESTIC WORKER

Sweeping, mopping, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 348-1832

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD

ICE CREAM MAKER

To maintain their commercial property. Duties will include the following:

• Weeding/Pruning/Tidying gardens and plants/cleaning gutters as required.

• Irrigation of plants, monitor water system usage & check water leveling tanks.

• Check septic tank levels.

Normal working hours are from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm weekdays.

Rate of pay is $2400.00 per month.

DOMESTIC WORKER LABOURER

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. $8.00 Hourly

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. $8.00 Hourly

CLEANER

Stocking and supplying designated facility areas, dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, restroom cleaning etc. $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 343-7291 36825

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

HELLE COLES

CONTACT: 346-0002 36881

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD

DOMESTIC WORKER/HOUSEKEEPER REQUIRED

FOR A PRIVATE FAMILY VILLA IN PROVIDENCIALES operated by Helle Coles. Experienced Live in Domestic Worker/Housekeeper needed for busy household.

Salary is $8.00 per hour. Required to work six days a week.

All suitably qualified TC Islanders are requested to submit resumes/

Prospective TC Islander applicants are also free to lodge a copy of their applications to the Employment Services Department.

Help with dressing, eating, bathing and complete light housekeeping duties. Plan, prepare and monitor meals.

patient of medications.

CONTACT: 649-244-0168

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED

DOMESTIC WORKER

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 231-7278

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

MASSAGE THERAPIST

Must be able to do all types of massages. Chair massages. Must have at least 5 years’ experience

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 941-7220

BELONGERS ARE TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD WORK PERMIT RENEWAL

Mixes mortar; lays bricks and stones and/or concrete sidewalks; makes and repairs steps and plasters. $8.00 hourly

Responsible for installing wallboards to ceilings or to interior walls of buildings and applying plaster. $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 649-333-1199

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

37054

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes. Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 241-0397

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

37007

Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, and etc.

CONTACT: 247-8872

CONTACT: 343-1649

DOMESTIC WORKER

Cleaning all areas within the yard. Sweeping and removing debris from outside. Help me around the house.

Salary $8.00 per hour

CONTACT: 333-5032

JAMES ARTHUR

Cleaning all areas within the yard. Sweeping and removing debris from outside. Help me around the house. Salary $8.00 per hour

CONTACT: 342-1055 37116

OLD/NEW, BELONGER WILL BE GIVEN FIRST PREFERENCE.

CONTACT: 333-5032

Cleaning all areas within the yard. Sweeping and removing debris from outside. Help me around the house. JV’S TRUCKING SERVICES

37110

KESNEL COLAS

Salary $8.00 per hour CLEANER

CONTACT: 342-1055 37112

CONSTRUCTION

South Dock, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a SAINTALESTE OLIBRICE

DOMESTIC WORKER

37114

CONTACT: 242-8981

Performing general housework and taking care of a small child. Must work 5 days a week.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 341-5407/242-3910

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL

are cared for and inspected according to standards.

Maintain mechanical equipment, buildings, and machines. Tasks include plumbing work, painting, flooring repair, electrical repairs, and air conditioning system. $8.00

Hourly Stocking and supplying facility areas, dusting, sweeping, mopping etc.

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

BELONGERS

36712

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL

CONTACT: 332-4320

the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal

clothing and other housework. Salary: $8.00 hourly

CLERK Five Cays, Provo Is seeking to employ a CERISE PIERRE 36918 BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

cultivation, digging, and forking, mulching, watering, raking, weeding, edging, pruning, seed sowing, bed preparation and planting.

Salary:

MASON Blue Hills, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a BLUE WATER RESORT MANAGEMENT 36896 Performing a variety of cleaning activities such as sweeping, mopping, dusting and polishing. Ensuring all rooms

CUTTING EDGE LANDSCAPING AND DESIGN 36930 BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

241-0607

Unit #2 Alice & Alice Plaza, Airport Road Is seeking to employ a GLOBAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Five Cays Is seeking to employ a KENDAL/TAZANA DISPOSABLE SERVICES

Industrial Park Rd. 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 doorframes.

LABOUR BOARD. RENEWAL

LABOURER

36895

Plans, monitors, and appraises job results. Conducts training. Implements and enforces systems, policies, and procedures.

Must be able to speak English, French, Creole, and Spanish.

Salary: $8.50 Hourly

Aviation Drive #15, Unit 5 Is seeking to employ a LAS BRISAS RESTAURANT & BAR

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

36898

GARBAGE TRUCK DRIVER

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO

BARTENDER

Mix drinks and cocktails ensure bar inventory and beverages are kept up to par.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 231-6318

Follow blueprints

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

The Turks and Caicos Islands oldest and leading publishing house is in need of additional staff to fill the following posts:

WRITERS/ PHOTO JOURNALIST

Candidates must have at least five (5) years’ experience working full-time for daily newspapers and/or news/features magazines, reporting on hard news, features and parliamentary/court proceedings. Salary paid weekly will commensurate with experience.

FOR MAGAZINES AND OTHER PERIODICALS GRAPHICS PRODUCTION DESIGNER/ PAGINATOR

This position requires someone with at least five (5) years’ experience working with Macintosh or PC computers. Must be skilled in the make-up of advertising and pagination. Proficiency using InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop software for print is essential. Some technical, networking and web design knowledge an asset. Salary paid weekly will commensurate with experience.

COURT REPORTER

College or high school graduate with at least five (5) years’ experience in community reporting. Ability to drive and use a camera a desirable asset. Salary paid weekly will commensurate with experience.

ADVERTISING SPACE SALES PERSON

Candidates must have had actual hands-on experience selling advertising space for newspapers and magazines. Ability to assist clients with the writing of copy for ads and gathering of collateral an asset. Salary is commission based.

CONTACT: 341-3419

Mixes mortar; lays bricks and stones and/or concrete sidewalks; makes and repairs steps and plasters.

Salary: $9.00 Hourly

Repair vehicle tubes and tires. Balance tires for all vehicles, order patches and plugs for tires. Send tires out for assistance and direction when needed. Cleaning, etc.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 232-7177

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

Cleaning property, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

649-432-1025

DUTIES: To answer all Inquiries and maintain all records.

SALARY: $8.00 per hour

CONTACT: 242-1910

BUTTERFIELD GOLD GROUP OF COMPANIES POSITIONS AVAILABLE

GOLD BROKERAGE & DHL COURIER SERVICES

Two (2) Customer Service Rep

Customer Service Representative

• Answering the phone

• Code Packages

• Opening & Closing flights

• Prepare daily deposits

• CALMS Report

• The applicant must be a team player with excellent people skills.

• Must be able to multitask in a very busy office

• In addition to performing the essential functions, employees may be required to perform different supportive functions, which the supervisor will determine.

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

One (1) Invoicing Clerk

• Liaise with customers (Receive and dispense packages, answer queries, and respond to complaints)

• Generate customer invoices for inbound dutiable items

• Assist with the clearing and checking of the manifest for DHL

• Process Customs Entries

• Facilitate the proper and efficient running of the office frontend

• Answer phone calls and emails

• Process packages-inbound & outbound

• Track packages

• Input data shipments

• Closeout the daily sales transactions

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

BUTTERFIELD GOLD

One (1) Receptionist/Account Clerk

We are looking for an experienced Receptionist with abilities that is variable for the proper function of the company

THE ACCOUNTS CLERK DUTIES

• Accept and issue receipts for Received on Account [ROA] payments for ALL companies

• Post ROA payments to Customer Accounts in respective QuickBooks [QB]; apply the payment to invoices as advised by customers;

• Post and reconcile daily reports.

• Post and reconcile daily reports

• Post ROA for Daily reports

• Post DHL Daily Billing Batch

• Split and reconcile invoices/reports

• Prepare end-of-day deposits for all payments received and Daily Reports reconciled.

• Prepare Night Bag Deposit, and record for Security to sign on collection

• Prepare vendor cheques for all companies as instructed by management.

• File cheque stubs for all companies

• Prepare forms for wire transfers and international drafts.

THE RECEPTIONIST DUTIES

• The applicant will be answering incoming calls to be direct where appropriate.

• Greet, meet, and attend to customers or direct to staff where appropriate

• Manage Petty Cash; reconciliation to replenish float,

• Distribution of signed cheques for the group. Contact vendors/payees to collect or arrange to have it delivered, where appropriate

• Issue Purchase Orders & Receipt books to Inter Companies

• Arrange the printing of Purchase Orders & Invoice books locally

• Liaise with Office Manager and check night deposit bags in inventory Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

One (1) Assistant to Human Resources/Accounts Clerk

• Process Imprest fortnightly payroll

• Prepare and submit monthly NHIB & NIB reports for Imprest payroll

• Complete and submit Work Permit Applications and renewals for nonmanagerial staff

• Follow up with Immigration on work permit applications & collect approvals/ cards

• Update non-managerial employee files and records

• send out a notice for work permit renewals monthly

• Assist staff with completing forms for work permits, work permit renewal, NIB/NHIP, etc.

• Prepare employment confirmation letters for banks and other institutions as requested by non-managerial staff for the manager’s signature

• File Imprest account cheque stubs

• When processing monthly payments, reconcile Imprest Payroll for NHIP and NIB accounts.

• Reconcile Imprest General Ledger Accounts.

• Reconcile Bank Statement for Island Pride Management Imprest payroll account

• Assist with preparation of new NHIP and NIB registrations

• Assist with preparation of payroll cheques by company and deposit to the respective Payroll bank account.

• Collect cheques for ALL companies from the bank

DUTIES: ACCOUNTS CLERK

• Recheck Payments/Received on Accounts for all Received on Account payments; Reconcile and Post Bank Deposits Daily.

• Prepare monthly Fuel statement for Fortis TCI Ltd., as at 25th monthly

• Prepare monthly statements for Gold Fuel Services Ltd.; verify copies of invoices to statement.

• Prepare monthly statements for Gold Brokerage & Courier Services Ltd.

• prepare monthly statements for all active accounts for gold fuel services and gold brokerage accounts via email

• accounts receivables for gold brokerage and gold fuel

DUTIES: OTHER

• Collect mail once weekly from Company Post Box 32

• Share support for Front Desk when designated staff is not at work

• Any other duties assigned by management for the efficient functioning of the Butterfield Gold Group of Companies.

• Please note duties are subject to change

Only Belongers apply for these positions. Application forms are available from Butterfield Gold Human Resource Department. Only applicants selected for an interview will be notified.

We urgently need to fill the above positions; please submit your application to the Butterfield Gold Corporate Office and state what position you are applying for, and address your application to the following address:

THE SCHOOL FOR FIELD STUDIES, SOUTH CAICOS

JOB TITLE:

CENTER DIRECTOR, MARINE OPERATIONS COORDINATOR,

MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR

THE JOB DESCRIPTION IS AS FOLLOWS:

- Direct responsibility for the maintenance and reliability of all equipment, utilities, and the facilities.

- Works collaboratively with other functional areas to ensure all maintenance related needs are met in a timely fashion.

JOB SUMMARIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

C ENTER DIRECTOR – PhD required in related field, teaching and research experience, $50K annually

MARINE OPERATIONS COORDINATOR –BS degree or higher in Marine Science, SCUBA Instructor, maintain boats, research and diving equipment, $20K annually.

DIVE SAFETY OFFICER –BS degree or higher in Marine Science, SCUBA Instructor, coordinate all field and research activities, $20K annually.

SITE MANAGER - Maintain facilities including plumbing, electrical, and construction. Must be familiar with vehicle maintenance and repair – gas and diesel – and small boat engine repair. $21K annually. Able to work individually and as team member. Currently held by Work Permit employee.

LECTURER – PhD required in related field, teaching and research experience, $30K annually.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS MANAGER – BS degree or higher, experience overseeing college students at a marine field station and supporting academic program, WAFA trained, $15K annually.

WATERFRONT ASSISTANTS – coordinates all SCUBA activities, BS degree or higher in marine science, $10K annually.

All positions required to live on-site, 6 day work week, minimum Divemaster Scuba Diver unless otherwise stated, prior experience living/working at a field station and boat handling is preferred. Currently held by Work Permit employees

TO APPLY: PLEASE SEND YOUR CV TO HHERTLER@FIELDSTUDIES.ORG – THESE POSITIONS ARE FOR FIRST TIME APPLICANT. TC ISLANDERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOR DEPARTMENT.

Start Date: Immediately

SOUTH BANK MARINA LTD

WANTED:

MECHANIC

OPEN POSITION

South Bank Marina Ltd, located in Long Bay Hills, Providenciales, invites applications to fill the position of MECHANIC.

MECHANIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

● Through understanding of marine system and competency with all major brands of outboard engine.

● Complete scheduled maintenance tasks on time and within budget in accordance with the maintenance schedule.

● Complete emergency repairs as required and follow up with appropriate customers the next working day.

● If appropriately qualified, undertake electrical repair. Assist with maintenance tasks at other marinas or homes as directed.

● Service and repair the workboat as applicable. Undertake other maintenance tasks as directed by the General Manager.

● Continuously monitor the general level of maintenance of the workshop areas as informed.

● Ensure parts needed are coordinated with the parts department regularly and associated parts billed to customers.

● Record all hours spent on jobs to ensure an accurate amount is billed to customers.

● Monitor various maintenance task carried out by dockmasters. Provide training/ instruction to other staff members when appropriate.

Self-motivated ability to work some weekend and holidays.

WAGE RATE:

Wages are in the range of $15.00 per hour based on experience. Applications are invited from qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders and copies should be submitted to the Labor Board. These positions are currently held by eligible Work Permit Holders.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING AND DELIVERED TO SOUTH BANK MARINA, LONG BAY HILLS, PROVIDENCIALES. OR SEND VIA EMAIL AT CONTACT@ SOUTHBANK.TC

- Provides support and/or develops programs related to maintenance including preventative maintenance, facility management, budgeting, engineering, and compliance requirements.

- Maintain the equipment, utilities and facilities.

- Provide support for in house repair and maintenance projects.

- Develop and maintain proper preventative maintenance of systems and facilities.

- Ordering of supplies and consumable items related to utility and maintenance needs.

- Must be liaison between contract labor and management. Must be competent in using contractors to complete various projects.

- Provide technical feedback, analysis, complete shift reports, and assist management with daily duties and reporting responsibilities in support of the maintenance department and operations.

- Staying up to date on maintenance programs and procedures.

- Evaluate existing brewery systems and facilities against current and projected needs.

- Handling of chemicals while wearing appropriate PPE.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

- Previous experience in diagnosing mechanical, electrical, and electronic faults

- Welding (TIG, MIG etc.)

- Previous experience in factory machinery maintenance

Pay $70,000USD per year (negotiable depending on experience)

SOUTH BANK MARINA LTD

WANTED:

SPRAY PAINTER

OPEN POSITION

South Bank Marina Ltd, located in Long Bay Hills, Providenciales, invites applications to fill the position of SPRAY PAINTER.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have proven experience in Spray Painting

• Experience working as a Spray Painter

• Must be willing to work in full chemical suits

• Have a general knowledge of boat construction

• Prior experience painting and installing fiberglass in a marine environment

• In-depth knowledge of paint mixing and spraying techniques

• Filing, sanding, and smoothing surfaces that need to be sprayed

• Applying masking tape and coverings over areas that are not being sprayed

• Undertake repair work using angle grinder, laminate roller, mixing container, spatula,

sanding discs etc.

• Ability to work some weekends

DUTIES INCLUDE:

Grinding, moulding, and installing fairing, sanding, bottom painting, assisting with hauling boats and preparing boats for painting, spray painting using marine topcoats.

WAGE RATE:

Wages are in the range of $9.00$15.00 per hour weekly.

APPLICATION:

Applications are invited from qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders and copies of the same should be submitted to the Labor Board. These positions are currently held by eligible Work Permit Holders.

DIVE SAFETY OFFICER, SITE MANAGER, LECTURERS (2), HEALTH AND WELLNESS MANAGER, WATERFRONT ASSISTANT

Duties: To Clean & Maintain Premises, Dispose of Waste & Refuse; other duties as necessary.

Salary: $8.00 per hour.

CONTACT: 946-4238

Cleaning/tidying common areas

Applicants must be experienced in cutting, styling and coloring. Willing to work weekends and holidays on events and weddings. Hourly rate commencing at $9.00 per hour.

VACANCY PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO THE CEO OF TCI FINANCE

(This is NOT a work permit driven advertisement. Please only apply if you are 1) qualified and experienced for the role and 2) have the right to work in the Turks and Caicos without a work permit)

ROOFER

BEEN CONSTRUCTION

All applicants must have at least 10 years’ experience in the commercial and residential construction industry. Salary negotiable depending on qualification and experience level.

TCI Finance (a newly founded Public / Private not for profit set up to promote the financial services sector in the Turks and Caicos) is seeking a mature, experienced , dynamic and highly organized individual to join our team as a Personal Assistant to the CEO. As the CEO’s right-hand person, you will be responsible for providing comprehensive administrative support to the CEO and ensuring the smooth functioning of the CEO’s office. This role requires exceptional multitasking abilities, strong communication skills, a high level of professionalism, and a proactive approach to problemsolving.

TCI Finance is a newly created collaborative venture between the Government and the Private Sector with the goal of driving growth in the Financial Services sector of TCI through marketing, campaigning, and process improvement.

You will be based at Courtyard Plaza in Providenciales, but some travel may be required.

YOU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING SKILLS / EXPERIENCE:

WARD’S CONSULTANCY

YOSHI SUHIS BAR

RESTAURANT

1. Accounting & book keeping skills, particularly expense management, preparing financial reports for the Board , budgeting

2. Diary management and travel arrangements

3. Organising domestic and international meetings and conferences

4. Information management

5. Governance and Board meeting support

6. Special project management as required by the CEO

7. Degree level or better education, 10 years or more experience working in a fast paced, high pressure role with real and demonstrable experience of the tasks listed above

This is a mission critical role for TCI Finance, and salary will be in the range of $70-80K.

V

THE SOURCE

LUXURY VILLA-BUTLER

We are looking for an honest, hardworking, self-motivated individual with keen organizational and communication skills to join our team. The butler must be knowledgeable about services offered and serve as an attentive liaison between guest and staff. Please note this position requires the applicant to be on call 24/7.

BUTLER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Inspect villa before and after guest arrival

• Greet guest upon arrival, unpacking and packing guest suitcases/bags

• Anticipate and meet guest needs

• See Guest off upon departure

• Unpacking and packing guest clothing

• Ironing clothing and pressing linen

• Serve meal & prepare cocktail and other beverages

• Run errands (must have valid driver’s license)

• Must assist with cleaning rooms and assist with the upkeep of the villa

• Assist with replenishing inventory, including cleaning supplies, dishware, etc.

BUTLER REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certification in Safety Management or Food Safety

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience working as a butler at a luxury villa/ resort

• Must have a sunny disposition and must maintain a positive attitude

• Ability to adapt to fast paced-paced environment

Please note that renumeration for this position starts at $1500.00 based on qualifications and experience. Interested persons are asked to send a copy of their resume to hr@thesource.tc and send a copy to The Employment/Labour Department.Must be a good communicator

Attention to detail and some customer assistance and service are required.

Duties: To perform tasks Involving physical labour. And other chores as assigned.

CONTACT: 244-1716

DOMESTIC WORKER

Duties:

CONTACT: 232-8066

DOMESTIC WORKER

Sweeping, mopping, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels, personal clothing, and other

CONTACT: 242-3443

A housekeeper/Server is required for a Luxury Villa. Applicant is required to perform a variety of housekeeping duties including but not limited to the following: -

• Maintaining proper inventory of linen and amenities

• Performing a variety of cleaning details such as vacuuming, mopping, surface cleaning, dusting, changing and laundering linen.

• Ensure that rooms in villa is cared for and inspected according to company standards

• Notify Villa Manager of any damages

• Deal with any request and or complaints in a professional manner and patience.

• Must be committed to working as a part of the team

• Must have the initiative to work with minimal supervision

• Must be willing to perform any other duty assigned by Supervisor

• Must follow directions both written and verbally

• Must be honest and confidential

• Must be a good communicator

• Attention to detail and some customer assistance and service are required.

This position requires someone with a sunny disposition who can remain calm during stressful situations. Applicant must have a minimum of 2 years Luxury Villa housekeeping experience. Applicant may work long hours including weekends and holidays. Renumeration for this position starts at $1500.00 per month. Interested persons should address their resume to hr@thesource. tc. and send a copy to The Employment/Labour Department

37120

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

Salary: $320 weekly

CONTACT: 649-245-6827

DOMESTIC WORKER

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 332-6104

QUALIFICATIONS: Understanding of basic bookkeeping and accounting payable/receivable principles.

Experience with spreadsheets, proprietary software, Proficiency in English, MS Office, High degree of accuracy and attention to detail

ALL INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT THEIR RESUME TO: ELITELIFESTYLETCI@GMAIL.COM AND THE TCI EMPLOYMENT SERVICE AND LABOUR DEPARTMENT. THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY VACANT. Aviation Drive, Providenciales, TCI, Is Seeking a

37068

DMR GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED

Unit

#6 Queens Landing, Grace Bay Road, Is seeking for

4 MASONS

Mixes mortar; lays bricks and stones and/ or concrete sidewalks; makes and repairs steps and plasters

Renewals. $9.00 hourly

Follow blueprints. Install windows and molding. Measure, cut, or shape wood, plastic, and other materials

Renewals. $9.00 hourly

3 PLUMBERS/ELECTRICIANS

Installs pipes and fixtures, installs supports for pipes, equipment, etc. Install and maintain wiring, control, and lighting systems. $9.00 hourly

CONTACT: 332-2067 OR 241-0148

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

CLOVERLEAF AGENCY

1 LABOURER

AGNES SWANN Central Ave. Whitby, North Caicos (Renewal)

Rate: $8.00 per hr

Weeding yard, moving trash, washing windows

37092

JENO GARDINER

Kew, North Caicos (Renewal)

Rate: $8.00 per hr

Weeding yard, moving trash, washing windows

SHARRINGTON FORBES, Whitby, North Caicos (Renewal) Rate: $8.00 hr

Cleaning yard, moving trash, washing windows. Assist in preparing food, and serve meals.

Salary: $8.00 p/h

CONTACT: 246-7382

HENRICO WILSON

LABOURER

Perform basic labour duties.

Cleaned up site Assist with setting up portable loos on sites.

Basic Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: (649) 231-2366

2 FISHERMEN

Maintain and clean fishing vessel. Catch fish using fishing equipment provided.

Salary: $8.00 per hour

CONTACT: 333-4580

CONTACT: (649) 243-2491

CLEANER SUPERVISOR

Maintain mechanical equipment, buildings, and machines. Plumbing work, painting, flooring repair, electrical repairs, etc.

CONTACT: 342-4656

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

CONTACT: 331-9854

SECURITY OFFICER

Secures premises and personnel by patrolling property; monitoring surveillance equipment; inspecting buildings, equipment, and access points; permitting entry. Obtains help by sounding alarms.

CONTACT: 649-231-0047

EMAIL: ELITESECURITY@TCIWAY.TC

CLEANER

Stocking and supplying designated facility areas, dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, restroom cleaning etc. $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 347-7139

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD

LABOURER

Ordering of cleaning material, ensuring that all cleaning operatives are effectively trained and that their workload is manageable. Salary: $10.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 649-347-2073

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

Cleaning outside the property, pick up waste, dispose of trash, clean windows, and doorframes.

Salary: $8.00

CONTACT: (649) 331-1969

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

Performing a variety of cleaning activities such as sweeping, mopping, dusting and polishing. Ensuring all rooms inspected according to standards.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 343-0643

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

LABOURER

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

CONTACT: 343-9814

BELONGERS APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, and door frames. Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 649-343-7291

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD

KITCHEN HELPER

CONTACT: 332-6174

MARIE R. BEEN

BABYSITTER

To carry out and assist with all babysitting duties such as caring for my little daughter during my absence when I am at work; and off and on minor house chores.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 347-7265

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY/RENEWAL

BABYSITTER

Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, and disciplining children when necessary. Salary: $8.00

CONTACT: 346-6169

DOMESTIC WORKER

Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 245-4221

BELONGERS ONLY APPLY

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

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 342-4436

ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO

JOHANNE

Installs pipes and fixtures, installs supports for pipes, equipment, etc.

Salary: $8.00 Hourly

CONTACT: 241-9700

Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, and etc.

Salary: $8.00 hourly

CONTACT: 348-8417

DOMESTIC WORKER

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework. Salary: $8.00 per hour

CONTACT: 348-1774

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

DOMESTIC WORKER

Cleaning the house, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other housework

Salary: $8.00 per hour

CONTACT: 241-3338

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE LABOUR BOARD

Science & Technology

Obesity changes the brain, with ‘no sign of reversibility,’ expert says

OBESITY may damage the brain’s ability to recognize the sensation of fullness and be satisfied after eating fats and sugars, a new study found.

Further, those brain changes may last even after people considered medically obese lose a significant amount of weight — possibly explaining why many people often regain the pounds they lose.

“There was no sign of reversibility — the brains of people with obesity continued to lack the chemical responses that tell the body, ‘okay, you ate enough,’” said Dr. Caroline Apovian, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and codirector of the Center for Weight Management and Wellness at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

As defined medically, people with obesity have a body mass index, or BMI, of over 30, while normal weight is a BMI of between 18 and 25.

“This study captures why obesity is a disease — there are actual changes to the brain,” said Apovian, who was not involved in the study.

“The study is very rigorous and quite comprehensive,” said Dr. I. Sadaf Farooqi, a professor of metabolism and medicine at the University of Cambridge in the U.K., who was not involved in the new research.

“The way they’ve designed their study gives more confidence in the findings, adding to prior research that also found obesity causes some changes in the brain,” she said.

NUTRIENTS DELIVERED BY FEEDING TUBE

The study, published Monday in Nature Metabolism, was a controlled clinical trial in which 30 people considered to be medically obese and 30 people of normal weight were fed sugar carbohydrates (glucose), fats (lipids) or water (as a control).

Each group of nutrients was fed directly into the stomach via a feeding tube on separate days.

“We wanted to bypass the mouth and focus on the gut-brain connection, to see how nutrients affect the brain independently from seeing, smelling or tasting food,” said lead study author Dr. Mireille Serlie, professor of endocrinology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.

The night before the testing, all 60 study participants had the same meal for dinner at home and did not eat again until the feeding tube was in place the next morning. As either sugars or fats entered the stomach via the tube, researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging and single-photon emission computed tomography to capture the brain’s response over 30 minutes.

“The MRI shows where neurons in the brain are using oxygen in reaction to the nutrient — that part of the brain lights up,” Farooqi said. “The other scan measures dopamine, a hormone that is part of the reward system, which is a signal for finding something pleasurable, rewarding and motivating and then wanting that thing.”

Researchers were interested in how fats and glucose would individually trigger various areas of the brain connected to the rewarding aspects of food. They wanted to know if that would be different in people with obesity compared to those of normal weight.

“We were especially interested in the striatum, the part of the brain involved in the motivation to actually go and look for food and eat it,” Serlie said. Buried deep in the brain, the striatum also plays a role in emotion and habit formation.

In people with normal weight, the study found brain signals in the striatum slowed when either sugars or fats were put into the

As defined medically, people with obesity have a body mass index, or BMI, of over 30, while normal weight is a BMI of between 18 and 25

digestive system — evidence that the brain recognized the body had been fed.

“This overall reduction in brain activity makes sense because once food is in your stomach, you don’t need to go and get more food,” Serlie explained.

At the same time, levels of dopamine rose in those at normal weight, signaling that the reward centers of the brain were also activated.

DIFFERENT FINDINGS FOR MEDICALLY OBESE

However, when the same nutrients were given via feeding tube to people considered medically obese, brain activity did not slow, and dopamine levels did not rise.

This was especially true when the food was lipids or fats. That finding was interesting, Farooqi said, because the higher the fat content, the more rewarding the food: “That’s why you will genuinely want a burger instead of broccoli; the fat in the burger will biologically give a better response in the brain.”

Next, the study asked people with obesity to lose 10% of their body weight within three months — an amount of weight known to improve blood sugars, reset metabolism and boost overall health, Serlie said.

Tests were repeated as before — with surprising results. Losing weight did not reset the brain in people with obesity, Serlie said.

“Nothing changed — the brain still did not recognize fullness or feel satisfied,” she said. “Now, you might say three months is not long enough, or they didn’t lose enough weight.

“But this finding might also explain why people lose weight successfully and then regain all the weight a few years later — the impact on the brain may not be as reversible as we would like it to be.”

A 2018 meta-analysis of longterm weight loss clinical trials found 50% of a person’s original weight loss was regained after two years — by the fifth year, 80% of the weight was regained.

MORE RESEARCH NEEDED

Caution is needed in interpreting the findings, Serlie said, as much is unknown: “We don’t know when these profound changes in the brain happen during the course of weight gain. When does the brain start to slip and lose the sensing capacity?”

Obesity has a genetic component, and although the study attempted to control for that by excluding people with childhood onset obesity, it’s still possible that “genes are influencing our

response in the brain to certain nutrients,” said Farooqi, who has studied the role of genes on weight for years.

Much more research is needed to fully understand what obesity does to the brain, and if that is triggered by the fat tissue itself, the types of food eaten, or other environmental and genetic factors.

“Are there changes that occurred in people as they gained weight? Or are there things that they were eating as they were gaining weight, such as ultra-processed foods, that caused a change in the brain? All of these are possible, and we don’t really know which it is,” Farooqi said.

Until science answers these questions, the study emphasizes, once again, that weight stigma has no place in the fight against obesity, Serlie said.

“The belief that weight gain can be solved simply by ‘just eating less, exercising more, and if you don’t do that, it’s a lack of willpower’ is so simplistic and so untrue,” she said.

“I think it’s important for people who are struggling with obesity to know that a malfunctioning brain may be the reason they wrestle with food intake,” Serlie said. “And hopefully this information will increase empathy for that struggle.” (Ksl.com)

Science & Technology

Lancet study: More than 100m people in India diabetic

A new study published in Lancet estimates that 101 million people in India - 11.4% of the country’s population - are living with diabetes.

A survey commissioned by the health ministry also found that 136 million people - or 15.3% of the people - could be living with prediabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the condition.

People have high blood sugars because they are unable to make enough insulin, a hormone, or respond to it properly.

The latest study, published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, is considered to be the first to comprehensively cover every state to assess the country’s burden of non-communicable diseases.

Researchers said they found that the prevalence of diabetes in India’s population was much higher than previously estimated. The WHO had estimated 77 million people suffering from diabetes, and nearly 25 million were pre-diabetics, at a higher risk of developing diabetes in near future.

“It is a ticking time bomb,” Dr RM Anjana, lead author of the study and managing director at Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, told The Indian Express newspaper.

“If you have pre-diabetes, conversion to diabetes is very, very

fast in our population; more than 60% of people with pre-diabetes end up converting to diabetes in the next five years,” she said.

The decade-long study was conducted by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and involved 113,000 participants over the age of 20 from every state in India.

Data collected in 2008 was

extrapolated for 2021 using demographics in the latest National Family Health Survey, the most comprehensive household survey of health and social indicators by the government.

The highest prevalence of diabetes was observed in Goa (26.4%), Puducherry (26.3%) and Kerala (25.5%).

The study warned of a sharp rise in diabetes in states like Uttar

Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Arunachal Pradesh where the prevalence was lower.

Also diabetes was more frequent in urban than rural areas, the study found.

“Changing lifestyles, improved standards of living, migration to cities, erratic working hours, sedentary habits, stress, pollution, change in food habits and easy availability of fast food are some of

the reasons why diabetes is rising in India,” Rahul Baxi, a consultant diabetologist at Bombay Hospital, told the BBC.

Dr Baxi said that diabetes was “no more a disease of the affluent or of those living in cities”.

“I see a good number of patients travelling from smaller towns. The prevalence of pre-diabetes is even higher and many people are undiagnosed for a long time.”

Dr Baxi said he had been seeing a lot of younger patients over the last few years.

“I have seen some cases of children of my patients who just checked their glucose levels at home because their parents were checking and they found the levels high!,” he said.

Diabetes affects about one in 11 adults worldwide and increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and limb amputation.

It is normally split into type 1 and type 2.

Type 1 diabetes is a disease of the immune system. It errantly attacks the body’s insulin factories (beta-cells) so there is not enough of the hormone to control blood sugar levels.

Type 2 diabetes is largely seen as a disease of poor lifestyle as body fat can affect the way the insulin works. (BBC)

A new study has revealed that light to moderate alcohol consumption can lead to a long-term reduction in the brain’s stress activity, ultimately lowering the risk of heart disease, New York Post reported. Researchers found that one drink per day for women and one to two drinks per day for men is linked with reductions in stress signalling in the brain.

The study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Cardiologist Ahmed Tawakol, the lead author of the study, said, “We are not advocating the use of alcohol to reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes because of other concerning effects of alcohol on health. We wanted to understand how light to moderate drinking reduces cardiovascular disease, as demonstrated by multiple other studies.

For the study, Mr Tawakol and

his team analysed the drinking habits of over 50,000 people who were enrolled in the Mass General Brigham Biobank. They found that those who had one to 14 drinks per week were less likely to have a heart attack or stroke than those who had less than one drink per week.

Further, they also studied 754 people who have previously undergone brain imaging to determine the effects of alcohol consumption on resting, stressrelated neural network activity.

The brain imaging showed reduced stress signalling in the amygdala, the brain region associated with stress responses, in individuals who were light to moderate drinkers compared to those who abstained from alcohol or who drank little.

‘’We found that the brain changes in light to moderate drinkers explained a significant

For the study, researchers found that those who had one to 14 drinks per week were less likely to have a heart attack or stroke than those who had less than one drink per week

portion of the protective cardiac effects,’’ Mr Tawakol said in a press release.

Researchers also found that those with a history of anxiety had nearly double the cardiacprotective effect with light to moderate drinking.

‘’Alcohol was twice as effective at reducing major adverse cardiac events among individuals with

stress and anxiety. It was about 20% in most patients but 40% relative risk reduction among individuals with prior anxiety, ‘’ the cardiologist added. However, they also warned that any amount of drinking raised the risk of cancer, and finding alternative methods to reduce stress is important. Higher alcohol consumption, more than 14 drinks

a week, was linked to a higher risk of heart attacks and an overall decrease in brain activity.

‘’At the same amount of alcohol that was ‘protective’ of cardiovascular disease, we saw a similar increased risk of cancer, so we’re not suggesting that there is an attractive quantity of alcohol for improving health,’’ Mr Tawakol said. (NDTV)

The decade-long study involved 113,000 participants over the age of 20 from every state in India

One alcoholic drink a day could lower risk of heart disease, says new study

Science & Technology

AMA discredits BMI, announces new policy

THE American Medical Association (AMA), the largest medical association in the US, is one step closer to saying what many health advocates have known for years: The body mass index (BMI) chart is a bogus measure of health.

After its annual meeting in Chicago this week, the organisation of more than 270,000 doctors announced that it had adopted a new policy to clarify how the BMI should be used as a measure in medicine. The announcement noted that a report from an organization subcommittee published earlier this year found that while using the BMI as a measure of health has some advantages — namely that it’s quick, cheap, and easy to use — it has many more disadvantages.

Due to the BMI’s “significant limitations,” the policy said, going forward it should only be used in conjunction with other health measurements such as measurements of visceral fat, body composition, waist circumference, genetic factors, and more.

“There are numerous concerns with the way BMI has been used

to measure body fat and diagnose obesity, yet some physicians find it to be a helpful measure in certain scenarios,” Jack Resneck, Jr., the AMA immediate past president, said in the announcement. “It is important for physicians to understand the benefits and limitations of using BMI in clinical settings to determine the best care for their patients.”

The association’s new president, Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, was sworn in on June 13.

THE LIMITATIONS OF BMI

Even though the BMI has been used extensively in doctor’s offices for years, it may not be a good measurement of your level of health.

“It doesn’t tell you anything about the health of a person,” Dr Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician and associate professor of medicine and pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, previously told Insider reporter Marianne Guenot.

The BMI was created in the 1800s by Albert Quetelet, who

The BMI was created in the 1800s by statistician Albert Quetelet

was a statistician, not a doctor. He created the BMI chart by calculating the weight (in kilograms) divided by the squared height (in meters) of white French and Belgian men, which unsurprisingly means that the chart is inaccurate for most of the world’s population.

“Under the newly adopted policy, the AMA recognizes issues with using BMI as a measurement due to its historical harm, its use for racist exclusion, and because BMI is based primarily on data collected from previous generations of non-Hispanic white populations,” the association wrote in its announcement.

According to the AMA 2023 subcommittee report the BMI as a measurement tool has several other limitations, which include:

It does not differentiate between lean body mass and body fat mass (meaning people with lots of muscle and a lot body fat percentage can still have a high BMI)

It does not account for body fat location (body fat in the stomach region has been shown to lead to heart disease and diabetes, compared to body fat located in the hips and thighs)

It does not account for hormonal changes, which puts many

postmenopausal woman at the higher end of the BMI scale

Predicting health outcomes based on BMI only likely isn’t as accurate as looking at genetics, medical history, and environmental factors

People with eating disorders can still have high BMIs, which can hinder them from getting access to treatment

The AMA suggests that doctors use other tests to diagnose obesity and measure health risks instead, including measuring waist-tohip ratio, using skinfold calipers, or, if the technology is available, underwater weighing. (insider.com)

Probiotics may help treat people with depression taking antidepressants – study

Taking good bacteria in the form of a probiotic blend can help people with depression who are being treated with antidepressants, new research suggests.

The study, led by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London, indicates the potential of probiotic supplements to support improvement in depression and anxiety measures over an eight-week period.

Research suggests that microorganisms living in the gut have a role to play in the regulation of mood.

The pilot study looked at whether using probiotics to improve gut health could be a new method of supporting mood and mental health.

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts promoted as having various health benefits.

They can be added to yoghurts or taken as food supplements, and are often described as good or friendly bacteria.

Professor James Stone, the study’s senior investigator who

be a new method of supporting mood and mental health

began the work at King’s IoPPN and is now at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, said: “Non- or partial response to antidepressants is a huge problem and this study is an important first step in

exploring the therapeutic potential of probiotics as a treatment for depression.

“This now paves the way for studies looking at whether we see these beneficial effects of probiotics

on depression and anxiety in larger populations of patients.”

In the study, 49 adults diagnosed with depression and with an incomplete response to prescription antidepressants were provided with

a widely available, proprietary 14 strain blend probiotic supplement or an identical placebo (24 receiving the probiotic).

The researchers found that over the course of eight weeks, both groups demonstrated improvement in their symptoms.

However, greater improvements were seen in the probiotic group from week four onwards.

According to the study, meaningful reported improvements were seen, measured against gold standard rating scales for depression and anxiety.

Dr Viktoriya Nikolova, the study’s first author from King’s IoPPN, said: “The gut-brain axis is a truly fascinating and rapidly evolving area of microbiome research.

“The findings of this pilot study are an important step forward in our understanding of the role of probiotics in mood and mental health.”

The research, conducted in partnership with ADM Protexin, part of ADM, is published in the Jama Psychiatry journal. (Irishexaminer)

The pilot study looked at whether using probiotics to improve gut health could

Sports International

Denise Lewis and Moeen Ali honoured at Windsor Castle

Wimbledon prize money increases to record $56.6 million

A RECORD $56.6m (£44.7m) in prize money will be available at this year’s Wimbledon, the All England Club announced on Wednesday.

That represents an 11.2% increase on last year’s prize pot, with the men’s and women’s singles champions each receiving close to $3 million (£2.35 million) and the runners-up almost $1.5 million (£1.175).

Wimbledon had reduced prize money for its two flagship matches

during the pandemic, but the payout for reaching the finals of the singles competitions is now the same as in 2019.

“We are delighted to offer record prize money to the players competing at The Championships this year, with double digit increases across the majority of events,” said Ian Hewitt, chairman of the All England Club.

“Our ambition with this distribution is to return the singles champions and runners-up prize money to the

levels in 2019 prior to the pandemic whilst, alongside, providing deserved support for players in the early rounds of the event.”

Prize money on offer at Wimbledon’s qualifying competition has increased 14.5% compared to last year, while singles players who lose their first-round in the main draw will receive $70,000 (£55,000), a 10% increase on last year.

This year’s tournament gets underway on July 3 and runs until July 16.

OLYMPIC gold medallist

Denise Lewis has praised her mother and other women in her family for pushing her to succeed as she collected her damehood honour.

The 50-year-old, who won heptathlon gold at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, was recognised in the New Year Honours.

West Bromwich-born Lewis collected her award from the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

“It is everything that my mum is here,” she said, adding her work ethic came from her family.

“My mum raised me singlehandedly and there was her selflessness and tenacity to keep pushing forward, to work hard, not settle and to want a better life,” Lewis explained.

The honour was in recognition for her role as president of Commonwealth Games England and for services to sport.

Lewis’s mother, Joan Lewis,

went with her to Windsor and said she was “extremely proud” of her daughter’s achievement.

The Olympian said that through her mother and grandmother, she saw a work ethic that included “wanting to succeed when lots of chips are stacked against you”.

Also collecting an honour at Windsor Castle on Wednesday was England and Warwickshire cricketer Moeen Ali.

Ahead of the Ashes, the 35-year-old missed training with the England team to attend the ceremony with his wife, mother and father, after being honoured with an OBE for services to the game.

Moeen was recalled to the squad for the first two Tests, having not played first-class cricket since 2021, after first-choice spinner Jack Leach was ruled out of the series through injury.

The Ashes get under way at Edgbaston in Birmingham - home of Moeen’s club - on Friday. (BBC)

Messi scores fastest career goal in Argentina’s latest win

Lionel Messi scored his fastest career goal as Argentina comfortably beat Australia in a friendly in Beijing.

Captain Messi, 35, opened the scoring after one minute and 19 seconds, curling a finish into the top left corner from the edge of the

box.

Substitute German Pezzella doubled the world champions’ lead with a header in the 68th minute.

Australia’s Mitch Duke had a first-half effort pushed onto the post by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

But Argentina always looked comfortable in Messi’s first match since agreeing to join American side Inter Miami.

Lionel Scaloni’s side were playing their third fixture since lifting the World Cup in December, and their first outside of Argentina. (BBC)

Dame Denise Lewis praised the women of her family upon receiving her honour

Moeen Ali becomes an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to cricket

The increase represents an 11.2% increase on last year’s prize pot

Since the start of the 2022 World Cup Lionel Messi has scored 12 goals across his past 10 games for Argentina

Adeleke: Dubliner sets new Irish 400m record in sensational NCAA triumph

Irish athlete Rhasidat Adeleke moved to 20th in the all-time list for the women’s 400m as she won the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) title in the US.

Adeleke, 20, smashed her own Irish record by 0.34 seconds in Texas by triumphing in 49.20 seconds.

US star Britton Wilson was the strong favourite for the final but had to settle for second spot in 49.64.

Adeleke’s win saw her become the first Irish victor at the NCAAs since 2006.

Sligo athlete Mary Cullen’s 5,000m triumph 17 years ago was the last time an Irish athlete had triumphed at the prestigious US collegiate championships.

Wilson remains second in this year’s world rankings behind Dominican Republic athlete

Marileidy Paulino (48.98) but the American was unable to get close to her season’s and personal best of 49.13 as she was overhauled by the Irishwoman in the closing 50 metres.

The American’s hopes of achieving a historic 400m and 400m hurdles double at the championships unravelled as she later could only finish seventh over the barriers in a disappointing time of 55.92 - some 1.47secs behind winner Savannah Sutherland.

‘I JUST WENT OUT TRUSTING MYSELF’ADELEKE

Adeleke’s win saw her become the first Irish sprinter to win a NCAA title and she also helped her University of Texas team clinch the 4x100m relay gold.

The Dubliner described her 400m triumph as “kind of a blur”.

Collier-Keywood becomes Welsh Rugby Union’s first independent chair

Richard Collier-Keywood has become the first independent chair of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

“I just went out trusting myself,” said the Tallaght athlete.

“I’m not really sure what I went through the 200 in. I just put myself into position coming into the home stretch and it was the kick at the end, which is something I’ve been doing well all season.”

Adeleke’s collegiate triumph adds further credibility to the belief that she will be among the medal contenders at this year’s World Championships in August.

The Dubliner was a semifinalist in the 400m at last year’s World Championships in Oregon and a month later went on to finish fifth over the distance at the European Championships in Munich.

While Adeleke celebrated, there was disappointment for another Irish athlete, Sophie O’Sullivan, who finished 12th and last in the 1500m final in 4:22.81.

The barrister is a former senior adviser to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Collier-Keywood is joined on the WRU board by Alison Thorne who has been appointed as an independent non-executive director (INED).

Thorne, who was shortlisted for the chair post, is chair of National Dance Company Wales.

She also holds the chair of Barcud Housing Association and non-executive roles as a board member at Sport Wales, governor of Cardiff Metropolitan University and independent panel member for public appointments for Welsh Government.

Collier-Keywood, whose mother grew up in Maesteg in south Wales, becomes the first appointed - rather than electedchair in WRU history and will take over the post officially in July from Ieuan Evans.

“I’m absolutely delighted to accept the role as chair of the WRU. Welsh rugby has always been hugely emotional for me and it is such a strength that there are millions of us that care and feel the same way,” said Collier-Keywood, a former global vice-chairman of financial services firm PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers).

“The hard work of Ieuan Evans and (WRU acting chief executive) Nigel Walker over the last few months has meant that we have a solid platform to take forward.”

Collier-Keywood will lead the process of appointing a permanent WRU chief executive - the role filled by Walker since the resignation of Steve Phillips following allegations of misogyny, sexism and racism within Welsh rugby’s governing body.

Walker has applied to become the permanent WRU chief executive, while the organisation has one further vacant INED spot to fill following the appointment of Thorne.

For most people, after winning the NBA Finals MVP trophy, you wouldn’t let it out of your sight. But Nikola Jokic is not most people, and the Denver Nuggets star seemed to have misplaced his award.

After dominating in the Denver Nuggets’ 4-1 NBA Finals win over the Miami Heat, Jokic deservedly picked up the award given to the best player throughout the series.

The Serbian averaged an incredible 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.4 steals as he continued his imperious postseason form against the Heat.

However, Jokic revealed in an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews the day after the Finals concluded that it didn’t take long before he had misplaced the Bill Russell NBA Finals Award.

When the two-time MVP showed up for the interview without the coveted prize, Andrews questioned Jokic on the trophy’s whereabouts.

“I really don’t know,” Jokic explained. “I left it in [equipment manager Sparky Gonzales’] room and it’s not there anymore. So, I don’t know. But hopefully it can arrive in my house.”

Rhasidat Adeleke (left) upset big favourite Britton Wilson to clinch the first Irish victory at the NCAA tests since 2006

Richard Collier-Keywood (C) takes over the WRU chair from Ieuan Evans (L) while Alison Thorne also joins the board

Nikola Jokic averaged an incredible 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in the NBA finals

Nikola Jokic temporarily loses MVP trophy ahead of Denver Nuggets parade

Sports International

World Cup 2022: Amnesty claims migrant workers paid ‘unlawful recruitment fees’

Thousands of migrants paid “illegal recruitment fees” to work at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Amnesty says.

Some allegedly paid in excess of £450, more than a third of their expected earnings, to gain employment with Qatar-based Teyseer Security Services.

The human rights body now wants Fifa to recompense the workers.

“Fifa has yet to effectively investigate,” said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s head of economic and social justice.

“Qatar’s existing mechanism for redress is not fit for purpose and has left thousands of workers deprived of compensation for the abuses they suffered.

“Fifa must now step in and offer immediate and meaningful remediation.”

Teyseer denied the allegations, adding they “strictly follow ethical recruitment processes and standards, and all our agencies

abide by them”.

Amnesty said it had spoken with individuals from Nepal, Ghana and Kenya who were contracted by Teyseer to work for three months from mid-October, and all of them “incurred recruitment-related costs to secure their positions”.

The investigation found that some handed over hundreds of pounds to secure roles as security guards and marshals.

Some workers paid for travel and accommodation to participate in a two-week training programme in their home countries, during which they were not paid.

Amnesty says it has seen job letters from Teyseer stating that “all recruitment-related costs” would be reimbursed.

Teyseer said they “covered all recruitment expenses” except for “attested police clearance certificates”.

encountering any requests regarding payment during the recruitment process, and to contact our company if they encounter such situations.”

Qatar told the BBC it was “proud to lead the region on labour rights”, and “worked with global partners to implement a fair and effective labour system, which is supported by robust enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance among all employers.

“Qatar strictly enforces its ban on illegal recruitment fees and contract substitution.”

recruitment fees, unpaid overtime, and a bonus which they say was promised on completion of their duties.

Amnesty says workers were promised they would be compensated but that pledge has not been honoured. It adds that migrant workers who have left the country have no way of receiving remedy.

“promptly followed up with the Supreme Committee’s Worker’s Welfare Department as well as with the Doha Office of the International Labour Organisation”.

“Fifa, in collaboration with its Qatari counterparts, implemented a far-reaching due diligence process with the aim to ensure that companies involved in Fifa World Cup-related construction and services abide by the Supreme Committee’s Workers’ Welfare Standards,” a Fifa spokesperson said.

Hundreds of marshals staged a protest prior to the expiration of their contracts in early January, demanding reimbursement of their

Qatar said its Workers Support and Insurance Fund “disburses unpaid salaries to workers, including those who have completed their employment and returned to their home country”.

World governing body Fifa said it was made aware of Amnesty’s allegations on 19 April and it

“We consider any noncompliance with these standards unacceptable and are actively following up when we learn about alleged breaches.” (BBC)

The Ashes 2023: Stokes has confidence he can bowl for England against Australia

They added: “All selected candidates were informed to be cautious and vigilant when England captain Ben Stokes says he has “real confidence” he can play his part as a bowler in the first Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston.

Stokes has bowled only one over in competitive cricket since February as he manages a left-knee issue.

But the all-rounder has bowled a spell in practice on each of three days leading up to Friday’s series opener.

“I’ve run in with more intensity day by day. I’m in a really good position to be able to bowl,” said Stokes.

Stokes, 32, did not bowl in England’s win over Ireland at the beginning of the month and, prior to that, sent down only one over during his spell with Chennai Super Kings at the Indian Premier League in April and May.

The injury appeared at its most severe in England’s defeat by New Zealand in Wellington in February, when he bowled just two overs in the first innings and not at all in the

Stokes has bowled only one over in competitive cricket since February as he manages a left-knee issue

second.

But Stokes, with his knee heavily strapped, bowled for between 2030 minutes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Edgbaston, spells of around five overs.

His ability to bowl is likely to be crucial on what is set to be a very

flat pitch and with England having to include off-spinner Moeen Ali for his first Test for nearly two years following an injury to Jack Leach.

“I definitely feel in a better place than I did in Wellington,” said Stokes. “What I have done in the last three days - bowling three

spells - has been a real confidence boost for me.”

Doubts over the amount Stokes is able to bowl are a contributing factor in the selection of Stuart Broad ahead of Mark Wood to join James Anderson and Ollie Robinson in the seam attack.

Whereas Wood offers high pace, he would have only been able to bowl short spells and has his own historical fitness issues.

Broad, 36, is England’s alltime leading wicket-taker in Ashes cricket and has a superb record against Australia opener David Warner, whom he dismissed seven times in the same series four years ago.

And Stokes admitted he would be “lying” if he did not admit Broad’s hold over Warner was not a reason for the selection.

“Broady’s record against Australia is incredible and it’s very hard to look past someone like that, in the opening game of the series,” he said.

“I’m very happy with the team

we’ve ended up picking.”

Moeen, 35, retired from Test cricket in September 2021 and has not played a first-class match since.

But he was messaged by Stokes after Leach suffered a stress fracture in his back and the Warwickshire man will make his Test return on his home ground.

“Mo is the life and soul of every dressing room he comes into,” Stokes told BBC Sport. “It is fantastic to have him back.

“I had to think hard about who we would replace Leachy with. A player like Mo, who I have seen put in some unbelievable matchwinning performances, albeit a long time ago, was something I couldn’t look past.

“That was a stomach and a heart feeling, rather than my brain. Generally, I have stuck with my heart and my gut throughout my captaincy so far.”

England have not won an Ashes series since 2015 and have not held the urn since relinquishing it to Australia down under in 2017-18.

Around 2,500 migrant workers were recruited by Teyseer for FIFA-related projects in Qatar

Jaguars and Omars register cricket victories in double-header

THE Jaguars and Omars registered victories to sound warning on the penultimate week of the preliminary round of the Senior Men’s T20 Cricket Competition last weekend at the Downtown Ball Park in Providenciales.

The Jaguars won against the dominant Police, while Omars registered their first victory when they met GK Foods.

The Jaguars won the toss and opted to bat first.

Led by skipper and eventual man-of-the-match, Mark Austin, the Jaguars were able to reach 1269 in their 20 overs.

Batting at number four, Austin struck six fours and three sixes in his top score of 49, while Earl Henry supported with 24 (3X4s).

Bowling for Police, Garvin Bruno snarled 3-14 from four overs.

Support came from Sabuton John and Chabbie Charlery who picked up two wickets each.

In reply, Police could not find their footing and succumbed for 109 in their allotted overs.

Philip Smith batting at seven and Ian Ganess at eight put up a slight resistance of 31 runs for

the seventh wicket, with Smith hitting an innings-high 23 (3x4s, 1x6) and Ganess 14 (2x4s) runs respectively.

However, the damage was already done.

Fast bowler Daniel Bourne, who was destructive early, finished with 2-17 from four overs, while Kirtly Charlery and Henry also took two wickets.

OMAR’S VICTORY

Omars were able to surprise GK Foods in the other clash.

GK batted first and scored 127 before they were bowled out in 19.3 overs.

Opener Gareth Butler led the attack with 38 (5x4s) and anchored the innings as the other batsmen struggled.

Dane Ritchie led the bowling attack with 3-17 from four overs.

In reply, Omars reached the target in 19 overs with three wickets to spare.

D. Hardware, who had picked up two wickets, finished with 36 runs to lead the attack. He struck five fours and a six during a solid partnership with G. Campbell, who finished with 27 runs (6x4s).

Olympic ski jumper Patrick Gasienica dies at 24 after motorcycle crash

Olympic ski jumper Patrick Gasienica has died at the age of 24.

Police said they attended the scene of a two-vehicle accident involving a motorcycle in Illinois Monday evening, and Gasienica, who was operating the motorcycle, was transported to Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel.

Tracy Dickens, chief of police at Bull Valley Police Department, said a preliminary investigation indicates that the motorcycle “lost control and crossed the center lane

of traffic.”

Gasienica, who was born in Mchenry, Illinois, represented the USA in his first Olympic Winter Games in Beijing 2022.

He made his International Ski Federation (FIS) Ski Jumping debut in 2015, and went on to represent the United States at FIS Junior World Ski Championships in 2016 and 2017, and the 2019 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Seefeld, USA Nordic said in a statement published by U.S. Ski & Snowboard announcing his death.

Omars’ win has given them a boost in confidence

Jaguars defeated front runners Police

Patrick Gasienica, pictured ski jumping at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, has died at the age of 24

Sports National

Sharks and Eagles receive PPL awards

THE SWA Sharks and the Academy Eagles received their championship awards when the Gilley’s Enterprises Provo Premier League (PPL) Award Ceremony was held on Saturday last at Cielo Bar in Ports of Call, Grace Bay.

The Sharks received their award for being crowned Overall PPL champions, while the Eagles were rewarded for winning the PPL

Knockout Cup. They also finished as Runners Up in the League.

The Sharks, who finished second in the Knockout Cup, and Flamingo, who finished third, also received trophies.

A number of individual awards were given out, including the MVP awards, which Mike Legerme and Pierre Walldas won.

Meanwhile, the Golden Boot

Sharks to battle against clubs from T&T, Aruba and Guadeloupe in Caribbean Shield

THE SWA Sharks will battle against clubs from Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba and Guadeloupe in the fifth edition of the CONCACAF Caribbean Shield, which will take place from August 3-13 in St Kitts and Nevis.

A total of 16 teams were drawn into four groups.

The Sharks, who are the Provo

Premier League champions, drew Club Sando FC from Trinidad, SV Dakota FC from Aruba and Solidarité Scolaire from Guadeloupe.

All three clubs are currently third in their respective leagues.

The winners of the groups will qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament.

winners were Brian Gregg and Jean Innocent, while the Golden Glove award went to Pendieno Brooks. Along with the outstanding players, notable officials were also rewarded.

Dane Ritchie was voted as the Best Referee; Damona Taylor as the Best Match Commissioner, Yunelsis Rodriguez as the Best Assistant Referee and Sophia Garland as the Best Fourth Official.

Meanwhile, the TCI Football Association lauded the efforts of Gilley’s Enterprises for their continued sponsorship of the league.

“Gilley’s Enterprises continues to make a transformative impact in our community. As a longtime partner of the Provo Premier League, we are more than grateful to Gilley’s Enterprises for being there all the way - an incredible

show of support! We are beyond words with gratitude for their generous contribution to men’s league football in these beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands. We appreciate and fully embrace Gilley’s Enterprises’ trust in both the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association and the Provo Premier League, and their kind investments in what we stand for.”

Dane Ritchie (right) and Yunelsis Rodriguez were voted as the Best Referee and Best Assistant Referee respectively

The Academy Eagles won the PPL Knockout Cup

The Sharks will be representing the TCI this August