Staff writer

#TurksandCaicos, August 11, 2023 – Despite the Government’s attempt to create more affordable housing for residents with the creation of the new Housing Policy, many say they left the launch feeling less hopeful than they went in.

After the event, one resident expressed it was time to speed up a government-operated mortgage scheme, and those inside the launch event had a similar lack of faith in their ability to secure bank-backed mortgages.

Marcus Samuels, Head of the Banking Association, was hit with questions about how the Association would seek to help residents secure mortgages to purchase these new government homes, considering how difficult residents on both sides of the employment spectrum (private and public)  found it to get approval for loans.

The pre-prepared question was met with applause from the ample audience who had gathered to hear about the programs.

“Homeownership isn’t rocket science, ” Samuels said, stressing that once residents came prepared with knowledge about their own paychecks and the size of the loan they could be offered they had a good chance of success.

Necessary information included:

• Level of income
• Level of previous debt

He also said the cost of housing could be lowered for buyers if the Government decided to decrease or forgo their taxes.

“There are some fees that we genuinely cannot move, like the Government stamp duties, which is usually one percent on the transaction.  Thankfully, the Premier is here— the ball is in his court.”

Zhavargo Jolly, Event Moderator, fielded concerns shared by residents, including that the proposed cost of homes in the example (just over $ 200,000) was lower than the usual market value in the country.

There was also a concern that the mortgages seemed geared toward double-income homes, which was not the case for all residents, alienating single mothers, fathers, and other single-income earners.

While Samuels came prepared with calculations for a hypothetical $230,000 home that he said proved residents could be able to own a home with a down payment as low as $12,500 the audience was unconvinced.  When he questioned them about whether residents believed they could afford a home after laying down the calculations the answer was still a resounding ‘no’.

Following the event, Bishop Coleta Williams, Chaplain to the House of Assembly, also spoke on the programs expressing concern that residents would be paying back the loans for years to come.

Residents, in the comments of the live video which was carried on Facebook, expressed being disappointed that more representatives from the Banking Association weren’t present at the meeting when arguably one of the biggest roadblocks to housing is financing.

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, August 11, 2023 – Many Turks and Caicos Islanders are spending unsustainable amounts of money on housing, according to data gathered by the Housing Department via the National Housing Needs Survey, emphasizing the need for affordable homes.

Dominique Durham, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development

“Respondents of that Survey provided that the majority of households spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing expenses.  Now, as a rule of thumb, especially in America, if you spend more than 30 percent of your income on housing, it is deemed not affordable,” Dominique Durham, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, revealed.

He shared other significant data collected that showed the dire state of the housing market locally, including that nearly a quarter of residents live in damaged homes.

“It also revealed that 21 percent [of respondents] are living in homes in need of repair and 69 percent are looking to purchase a new home within the next five years,” Durham said.

Despite the intent to buy a home, the survey also revealed that many Turks and Caicos residents thought the housing market needed more affordable options for them to be able to bring that dream to fruition.

The majority of residents (32 percent) voted for the Government to create more options for affordable housing when asked what would best improve their housing needs.

Other popular suggestions included:

• Creating Government housing loan programs (25 percent)
• Housing subsidies (15 percent)
• Home improvement/refurbishment programs  (11 percent)

All of those suggestions voted on by residents have made their way into the Housing Policy as either short-term or long-term programs.

Jamell Robinson, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development

“Long-term projects include inclusionary zoning, large-scale housing through public-private partnerships, and eventually, we will be establishing a National Housing Authority and Trust whereby we hope to lend at affordable interest rates.  We also are looking to roll out help-to-buy schemes in the near future as we appreciate that an issue is also access to financing,” he said.

The Government is aiming to use these suggestions, voted on by residents, to fix the gaping hole in the market, but even with these new programs, there’s one thing residents say they need to purchase homes– better pay.

Jamell Robinson, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, was hit with the question of whether the Government would start to pay residents more so they could have more cash to afford housing.

The minister said step one was increasing public cash flow (with a pay and grade review for the public service now being conducted), and step two was upskilling all individuals to make them more marketable in the private sector.

“Our Job– is to ensure that our citizens as Turks and Caicos islanders can add value to themselves so they can participate more in the open market, and one of those ways is by making the community college free so you can access higher education– in a free open market which we have here, it’s hard to dictate to the private sector what they can pay a specific individual so we want to grow our individuals to make sure that they can level up,” he explained.

The Housing Policy launched on July 27th in Providenciales.

Staff Writer 

August 11, 2023 – There are several steps to complete, but it’s looking more and more likely that there will be international boots on the ground in Haiti in the very near future.

The revelation came from Barbara A. Feinstein, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti, in a press briefing on August 04.  It followed a whirlwind of activity prompted by Kenya’s recent announcement that they would consider leading any multinational force deployed to the beleaguered country.

She explained the process to get soldiers into the country.

“The next steps for the Kenyan Government are to perform an assessment on the ground in Haiti, which we expect to take place in the coming weeks; to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders on the ground in Haiti and New York at the United Nations.  Provided the Kenyans are able to secure approval from their own government, they would then work with the United Nations to secure UN authorization of such a force,” said Feinstein in a press conference covered by Caribbean media firms.

Feinstein said the US is prepared to support by introducing a resolution authorizing the force, and they are fairly confident it will pass, with the Deputy describing the Government as ‘optimistic.’

“I would note that in the recent unanimous renewal of the authorization to extend the UN mission on the ground in Haiti, we [also] saw unanimous support for language that did endorse the idea of a multinational force and called for a report to lay out options,” she said.

That report will be tabled by August 15 and will help shape the multinational force.  As for how this multi-national force would operate, once it gets into Haiti, that depends on the findings of the Kenyan assessment.  What is certain is that it won’t be on the front lines.

Instead, it will: “Jumpstart the process of improving security in Haiti by sending thousands of additional personnel to secure critical infrastructure sites and thereby allow the Haitian national police to increase their focus on battling gangs.”

Haitian gangs have repeatedly taken control of important infrastructure relating to oil and electricity especially, forcing police to split their efforts to try and reclaim them while engaging in front-line battles with the gangs.

The US maintains it is committed to having Haiti lead on the response.

The Bahamas and Jamaica are among the countries which have also committed troops for the international mission should it be approved.

Staff Writer

#USA, August 11, 2023 – The United States official clarified their stance following Kenya’s announcement to consider leading a multinational force to Haiti to help pacify the gang ridden nation, saying that while the US is prepared to introduce a resolution for a multinational force themselves, they are waiting on Kenya to specify and detail the help needed upon their planned visit to the Republic, to assess the situation.

This was revealed at a virtual press briefing on Friday August 4th, 2023, held by Barbara Feinstein, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti Bureau of the Western Hemisphere.

Feinstein gave insight into the worsening atmosphere in Haiti, highlighting “additional atrocities committed by gangs,” and these include “indiscriminate attacks on women and children such as sexual and gender-based violence, widespread kidnappings and extortion,” alongside “other means of harassment.”

She added that these negatively affect food security, the delivery of humanitarian assistance and basic livelihoods.

Additionally, Feinstein pointed out, in response to a question from media, that amid Kenya’s and The Bahamas’ decision regarding the multinational force, other countries have publicly remarked on their willingness to help the struggling democracy back on its feet.

“We have seen similar statements from other countries in the region either formal statements or public comments, and that includes from Trinidad and Tobago, from Jamaica, from The Dominican Republic and the Organization of American States.”

“I think that is evidence that there is strong support for an urgent solution to Haiti’s crisis and offers of support to that end,” she added.

In continuation, the Deputy Assistant (Secretary of State) made sure to highlight that as these decisions are pending,  “the US continues to pursue a comprehensive approach in Haiti in support for security, specifically assistance to strengthen, train and equip the Haitian National Police, as well as humanitarian economic and health assistance to improve livelihoods and safeguard critical gains.”

In commending Kenya for taking the lead for the Multinational Force, Feinstein echoed Secretary Antony Blinken, who applauded the African nation for stepping in to consider steering the vehicle to Haiti’s comeback.

Present at the briefing were media representatives from The Bahamas, Guyana, South Africa , the Miami Herald and Reuters.

Photo Caption: On July 25, U.S GENERAL PAYS COURTESY CALL TO THE KDF CHIEF OF DEFENCE FORCES AT ULINZI HOUSE.  The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Francis Ogolla hosted the Commander U.S Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), General Bryan P. Fenton at the Defence Headquarters, Nairobi.

Credit: Kenya Defence Forces

Staff Writer

#Hawaii, August 11, 2023 – How does a fire erupt in the middle of a hurricane?  And yet it does and did, with deadly consequences to the popular tourist town and home to thousands.  Those looking at the images coming out of Hawaii are compelled to describe the scenes as “apocalyptic”.  Further evidence of how bizarre the world of weather is becoming on a planet struggling to keep pace with the human and damage toll of devastating natural disasters.

A wildfire, with its winds fuelled by Hurricane Dora, wreaked havoc on Maui, an Island in Hawaii scorching and destroying large sections of the historic town of Lahaina, claiming at least 53 lives and rendering homeless 200 people who are currently in shelters.

Initially the report was six dead.  Then it climbed to 36.  Now, just over a day since the ordeal started and with search and rescue operations in full swing, the new of people killed is 53, according to officials.

The US Coast Guard informed that a dozen people, residents and tourists, were rescued from the water off the coast of Lahaina after they jumped to save themselves from consumption by the inferno.

The search continues for about 1,000 people.

Efforts were made to fight the fire but due to powerful winds combined with dry conditions and low humidity, this was made very difficult.  In fact, wind gusts of nearly 80 mph were reported in some areas blowing down power lines and trees leaving about 14,000 Hawaiians without power according to PowerOutage.us.

“It’s just so hard. I’m currently in the Upcountry and just knowing that I can’t get a hold of any of my family members. I still don’t know where my little brother is. I don’t know where my stepdad is,” Tiare Lawrence, Lahaina resident said, “Everyone I know in Lahaina, their homes have burned down,” she added.

While Lahaina was in flames, firefighters were also battling another fire in the inland, mountainous region of the island.

This has been dubbed the worst natural disaster to hit the islands since Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, August 11, 2023 – Another Member of Parliament in the Turks and Caicos Islands is being called on to communicate more after a shooting in Blue Hills over the weekend, injuring two people.  Randy Howell, MP to Blue Hills released a newsletter to his constituents on August 6th regarding the incident from two days prior.

The statement, eventually shared on social media, was met with frustration from the residents.

Though comments were few, many expressed frustration at his silence over the past two and a half years since winning the seat.

“All the crimes took place since the PNP gain government you never said a word NOW YOU COMING OUT TALKING GARBAGE!!!” said one particularly heated resident.

Another resident was concerned that the statement took so long to be delivered, a full two days after the shooting in which at least ‘49 rounds’ were fired into the community.

“A few days late…,” they said.

Others were critical of the lack of opportunities for young men and reminded Howell of his slim margin of victory.

“Well they [weren’t] encouraging the young people to join the police Department so they will find whatever jobs they find easier to get money to buy guns and hard drugs,” a resident expressed.

“The people of the affected area [are] still waiting on your promises and visit, just remember 333 to 318 you only won by 15 votes,” said another.

Howell, for his part, denounced the violence which he said left the community disoriented.  He also thanked the police for their own work but called for them to move more quickly.

“We note, however, that the residents affected would have desired a shorter response time.  I have done previously and will continue to advocate for the return of an outpost/station in the Blue Hills settlement that would provide prompt service to both High-Rock and Wheeland and that will narrow the response gap that we now endure,” he maintained.

Overall reception to the message via Facebook was poor with residents expressing disbelief and disappointment in the situation.

Staff Writer  

#TurksandCaicos, August 11, 2023 – DNA testing will now be a requirement for certain residents applying for status via family members.  The provision was signed into law on July 19^th and government leader of business in the House of Assembly, Washington Misick, TCI Premier, explained the rationale for this now approved pathway to Turks and Caicos citizenship.

“This provision will allow for DNA testing to establish parental relationships in the Turks and Caicos Islands for the purpose of TC Islander status.  By incorporating these criteria we ensure a robust and reliable method of determining familial connections if and when necessary,” he said.

During initial debates, Members of the House of Assembly had raised instances where parents could not provide the proper documents for their children to prove parental rights, for whatever reason.  DNA testing was introduced as a swift and reliable solution in these cases.

“This is very important, I think we all know that claims have been made both by Turks and Caicos Islanders and by others claiming to have kids that are not theirs but also making sure that children who have a right to status are not denied by parents who may want to abandon them,” Misick insisted.

The measure was wholeheartedly supported by Edwin Astwood, Opposition Leader.

Also accepted, that Great-grandchildren of TC Islanders will now be able to claim status following the passage of the anticipated Turks and Caicos Islanders Status Amendment Bill.  It was one of many changes, altering how residents can get status and rights to long-term stay in the country.

Tabled by Washington Misick, TCI Premier, it:

• Extends acquisition of status to persons born outside the islands with family links through a great-grandparent – Misick said this recognized the importance of family ties. “It may seem distant, but here in this House, we have examples that could mean our offspring could find themselves disenfranchised. Just about every family has a similar situation,” he continued, “if we are truly interested in growing the franchise and maintaining control of it, then we have to ensure we put provisions in place for [it] to be extended through our own bloodline.”
• Extends automatic status to the dependent children of residents who are awarded status by grant, ONLY if they are living in the country at the time of application. The Premier indicated this was to remove the undue burden from families with qualifying dependents;
• Creates separate forms for residents applying for status through marriage and grants and legalizes electronic applications. Misick said this clause focused on making sure that families who legitimately have a right to be in the islands are not discriminated against;
• Removes the Attorney General from the Status Commission and appoints an external attorney. This attorney must have 15 years of experience and a background in public law, thus ensuring that the commission benefits from legal expertise. Misick said that the removal of the Attorney General was to reduce the opportunity for legal challenge and to ensure that there is no claim of the Governor or AG having their ‘finger on the scales,’ bringing more integrity and transparency to the process.
• Sets out parameters for qualification and disqualification of Status Commission Members. “The grant of status is an extremely important offer, and it is important that people have the skills, the background, and qualifications to understand the implications of their decision,” the Premier explained;
• Authorizes DNA testing. To establish parental relationships for status/make sure that children with the right to status are not abandoned by parents and;
• Extends the year’s application period to December 2023. This is to residents the opportunity to fully understand the changes prior to applying.

The amendments were debated by residents, with a survey on the bill opening in June and closing later that month. The proposed changes by the Government all made it into the finished legislation with the addition of the clause granting status to great-grandchildren.

The bill passed with general support from both sides of the House of Assembly with the Opposition and Government acknowledging the gravity of the changes, without which Turks and Caicos Islanders would become outnumbered four-to-one in a few decades.

The premier maintained that they would continue to carry out public education seminars and give residents time to settle into the new changes fully.

Those meetings commenced with the business community last week.

The introduction of mandatory DNA results follows as a way to end forgery and conniving by applicants.

“It’s no secret that people get paid to say children are theirs in the Turks and Caicos— so I am very happy to see this here concerning DNA testing. It cannot only be used to disqualify, but as the Premier so rightly said to qualify.”

Residents had been asked to vote and give their opinions on the proposed change to Section 23 of the Islander Status Amendment Bill in June. With the new provision the Turks and Caicos joins a myriad of other countries including the United States who employ DNA testing to establish paternity before status can be granted to applicants.

Editor

#TurksandCaicos, August 5, 2023 – The PDM’s appointed member to the House of Assembly may have been a bit more satisfied by Friday evening with the release of a strong statement from the president of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association; firmness is what everyone expects in the aftermath of another wild shooting – on Wednesday – in Grace Bay.

“We have had seven or eight murders since June 5th. We saw days where there were two murders in 24 hours. In these past two months, we have seen a shooting incident that saw 3 or 4 persons shot and by all accounts intentionally. We are seeing brazen day murders and now in the heart of Grace Bay.

In the past two years we have seen at least two beheadings and maybe a third. We have seen a trial witness killed in close proximity to CID. These historic events have whisked by without matching attention,” said Alvin Garland, Opposition Appointed member to the House of Assembly.

Garland expressed being incensed by the silence and the method of communication as violent crime grows in frequency and boldness.

“The PDM and I are calling on the Premier to address his people other than through a Press Release. The TCI has turned the corner and the question is how much more has to happen before we act decisively again?

The Minister of Tourism and TCHTA can no longer remain silent and must regain their voices to address our country’s visitors. In times when things were not as extreme, they were indeed vocal. We need leading voices and stakeholders on the record.

It is important to measure our comments in times like these but the silence must stop and the call for help must be urgently sent out,” said Garland.

Coming from the TCHTA was this, “Over the past two months, our Board of Directors has met with the Police Commissioner and the Governor’s Office to voice these concerns as we saw a serious trend starting once again of extreme violence not common to our islands.

We are concerned as an industry and as the nation’s largest employers that our citizens and guests must believe Turks & Caicos is a safe place to live and to visit.”

There has been no comment from the Minister of Tourism, however on Friday the TCHTA released its position on the shooting incident which forced a temporary road block following a barrage of bullets which left a 26-year-old man dead near a popular Grace Bay Beach access.

Hon Garland said this group was more vocal when the crime situation in the country was less serious.  Garland’s other advice, get outside help.

“We need outside help, not because we have no faith in our own, but because we need the extra skills and manpower, but this cannot be our fall back each time these acts are threatened or committed. The Bahamas assisted us greatly in stemming the violent tide and whilst we are aware that they too have their challenges, one more stint maybe warranted. But after this, we must have an ongoing plan that sees capacity built in in our own Police Organisation.”

Staff Writer

#St.KittsandNevis, August 5, 2023 – Kidney transplant surgeries will soon be offered in St. Kitts and Nevis as announced by Prime Minister Terrance Drew.

This development is a big one for the country’s health system and so it will provide kidney transplant services to citizens who are unable to travel overseas to acquire said services.  This was emphasized by Drew during the announcement at the Freedom FM’s Issues program held on Wednesday July 26th, 2023.

“These people are dying sooner than they should because they don’t have access to transplants.  I cannot allow our people to die when we have an opportunity to save their lives,” he highlighted.

Additionally, despite the country’s efforts to enhance health services for kidney patients, he urged residents to make better choices and take better care of their bodies adopting healthier habits such as frequent exercise, having balanced diets, maintaining blood pressure  and sugar levels etc.

But for those who fail to do so and fall victim to kidney ailments, he expressed that the aim is to have a something in place to help them.

“We want to make sure that they have an option for renal transplant and we are going to launch the renal transplant program.”

The kidney transplant surgeries will be provided at the country’s principal healthcare facility, the Joseph N France General Hospital.

In continuation, Drew further spoke to a team which will at some point in the near future, visit St. Kitts and Nevis from Canada to provide specialized training to the Haemodialysis Unit’s staff, to up the use of the recently acquired dialysis machines, further strengthening the nation’s fight against kidney diseases.

Staff Writer

#China, August 5, 2023 – Cuba and China have made new ties to enhanced its cooperation in higher education. This comes as new cooperation agreements were signed with Chinese counterparts during a visit to China by Miriam Nicado García, rector of the University of Havana.

This development is in-line with Garcia’s aim, that is to expand collaboration between the Universities of the two countries as she expressed in an interview with Prensa Latina.

While in China, she took part in the Global Forum of University Presidents which focused on the debate on the work of universities after Covid-19 as well as the challenges to bring about innovation, science and technology in the development of countries.

Additionally, she had talks with Zhou Zuoyu, vice president of the Beijing Pedagogical University of humanities and social sciences, which has a high development in scientific and technological innovation.

As she continues her agenda, Nicado will take part in other meetings with the universities of Hebei and Liaocheng which can potentially lead more development.

“We have the projection of creating joint centers and colleges with the aim of teaching common careers in China with ours (…),” she said.

The Forum is a wide-reaching international academic conference held in recent years by China’s higher education circles.  It’s aim is to building a platform for exchange and dialogue for the presidents of the world’s top universities.