May 4 -10, 2013
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
NEWS
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Consulate determined to locate illegal migration ringleaders BY VANESSA NARINE THERE have been several attempts to address the issue of illegal immigration given the recent flurry of attempts to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands. In an interview with the Weekly News, TCI-based Haitian Consul General, Karlo Pelissier, said the consulate is working to try to identify the “navigator” behind the coordination of the illegal migration. “We are working to do what we have to do to stop this practice,” he said. According to him, the consulate’s efforts are part of a comprehensive approach that includes education, and awareness of the risks of making the dangerous voyage from Haiti to the TCI. He said: “I have met with 29 per cent of the last group of people that came in on the sloop and I explained the misconception they have. “I told them that 99 per of the time there is a chance that they will get caught and if they do manage to get into the country there is a very small chance that they will get a job…there are more losses than wins and we need to get our people to understand this.” Pelissier added that advances are also being made in the area of investment, which involves the consulate working with locals and Haitians living in the TCI to encourage them to take advantage of
Haitian Consul General, Karlo Pelissier
the opportunities that exist in Haiti. “We have met with some people to talk about this,” he said. The Consul General underscored the fact that there is much work ongoing to improve the situation in Haiti and investment is one way to assist in job creation. Pelissier said: “Our government is doing much in the areas of industry, agriculture and tourism….we have to ensure our people understand this.” In Parliament, last Friday (April 26), Premier, Dr. Rufus Ewing, stated that the Minster in charge of the welfare of the Haitian Diaspora is
expected to visit the TCI soon. This is another effort at continued dialogue and collaboration to tackle the problem of illegal migration. Prior to that, on April 18, Governor Ric Todd jointly held a meeting with Turks and Caicos’ Immigration Minister Don-Hue Gardiner, Permanent Secretary Clara Gardiner and Pelissier. They agreed on action points that will see the two countries working closer together to tackle the issue of sloops arriving from Haiti in the TCI. The group agreed that the Haitian government would send an expert delegation to discuss with TCI officials how to build co-operation focused on deterring illegal immigration and prosecuting the traffickers. They also spoke about how the Governor's Office will investigate
having the Royal Navy warship which is stationed in the Caribbean to provide hurricane relief and to interdict drugs and people trafficking, contribute more to maritime patrolling between TCI and Haiti. Finally they agreed that both countries would stress in public info campaigns that any illegal immigrants making such a journey are taking a serious risk of death, they will almost certainly be caught and deported, and if they do get into the TCI they will not find work The Governor said: “Preventing illegal immigration is everyone’s business. “While positive steps have been taken such as the new coastal radar stations, clearly too many people are trying to make the dangerous 90mile sea journey to TCI.
NHIB opens office in Grand Turk
Attorney General Huw Shepheard
Huw Shepheard resumes duties as AG
RHONDALEE BraithwaiteKnowles is no longer acting in the capacity of Attorney General (AG) for the Turks and Caicos Islands, with the return of Huw Shepheard. Shepheard resumed his duties as the AG on Wednesday (May
1).
He has been away since mid-December due to health complications and was previously expected back in March. Shepheard’s services are paid for by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG).
THE NATIONAL of Health Insurance Board (NHIB) is opening a new office in Grand Turk on May 1. Chief executive officer for the National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP), Mrs. Zaneta Burton, said the opening of the office is well overdue. “It comes at a time when NHIP needs to have a physical presence in the nation’s capital,” she said. Burton went onto to remind residents that NHIP is dedicated to the health and wellness of all Islanders and legal residents of the country. She said National Health Insurance is a form of health coverage that insures the entire eligible population against meeting the cost associated with ill health. It is, she said, a key pillar of a comprehensive social security system intended to protect the
wellbeing of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The office is located at the Larry Coalbrooke CBC building on the north side of the Red Cross Office on Hospital Road. Office hours are Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 4.30pm and on Friday from 8.30am till 4pm. The telephone number is 9462611/2622 and or 232-2555. In addition NHIP will no longer accept payments through the bank including over the counter, online billing and automatic internet fund transfer to NHIB accounts. Payments can be made from Monday through Thursday 8.30am to 4pm and on Friday from 8.30am till 3.30pm. For more information contact NHIP on 946-8861, 946-2611/2622 or 232-2555 or via email at info@ tvinhip.tc.
“While it is true that many of them have been lied to about the possibilities of finding work and a new life here, indeed many think that they are being taken to Miami; we must also face up to the fact that some people in TCI are prepared to employ illegal immigrants.” He stressed that employing illegal immigrants is illegal and wrong. “We are determined to enforce the law but we must work to make this as socially unacceptable as drink driving. “When an illegal person is employed it denies a legal resident the chance of a job and deprives the Government of work permit income.” Immigration Minister DonHue Gardiner told the House of Assembly last Friday (April 26), that from January 1 to April 26, five sloops have been apprehended, 507 illegal immigrants detained and 450 repatriated.
Second route out of Blue Hills under consideration
GOOD news for the residents in the Blue Hills district was reported in the House of Assembly, last Friday (April 26), when the area’s elected member, Goldray Ewing, pressed about new roads. He asked the Minister for Government Support Services, George Lightbourne, whether or not there are any plans for a second road or highway out of Blue Hills. The Minister responded in the affirmative. Lighbourne explained that plans for new subdivision roads are being considered. Speaking to the Weekly News, the Minsiter stated that the cost of the project is being looked at and if it is affordable funds will be allocated in the 2013/2014 budget, which is expected to go before the House sometime in June. “If the costs are exorbitant then we will have to defer it to the 2014/2015 budget…funds are limited so we have to prioritise the works we have to undertake,” Lightbourne said. Ewing, in Parliament, pointed out that considering the large population of that settlement and the high volume of traffic using the roadway, there is a need for a second route out of Blue Hills, particularly in emergency situations.