Mr. Speaker, my fellow colleagues, our guest in the gallery, persons listening by internet and radio waves, my fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, good morning.
This morning is indeed an honor and a humbling experience for me to address this nation with my contribution to the budget address for this financial year 2021/2022. I believe a good place to start is by reminding the people of these islands of our promise to you as set out in our citizens contract of our moral and human right obligation to provide safety, security and justice for all within our borders especially the most vulnerable among us.
Mr. Speaker, when we campaigned to the people of these Islands for their support at the polls, we didn’t go to them having all the answers to combatting crime nor did we sell them dreams of a 12 point crime plan like the former administration did that we later learned never existed. There were countless persons who expressed their level of fear and also of concern for the ongoing training of our officers in the police force. I am pleased to see that this government has given the police force an increase in their operating expenditure,just a little over $5.2 million which is significantly higher than last year’s budget. There are training opportunities for officers within our police force in several areas:
•Digital Forensics
•Source Handling
•Intelligence Awareness Training to be provided to 100% of our police officers
•Community policing training to be provided to 100% of the community police officers
•Intelligence workshop with the US Coast Guard
•Marine Police officer training with The Bahamas
Defense Force
•Leadership training for 100% of the leaders within the police force.
Mr. Speaker, all these training initiatives are necessary in an effort to combat crime, particularly the joint effort of the Police and the Ministry of Education to develop programs at all schools throughout these islands.
Mr. Speaker in addressing the issue of justice, it would be remiss of me to not mention the ongoing SIPT trials. But in doing so Mr. Speaker, let me be clear, I believe that in any law abiding society it is important that citizens comport themselves accordingly within the law and there should be no exceptions. Whenever there is a breach, it is important that the offender(s) be held to account within the framework of the justice system in that society. But Mr. Speaker, there comes a time when stock has to be taken and we as legislators have to determine what is the proportionate level of expenditure that we will continue through at any particular issue in brining any offender to justice. Our resources are not infinite and as a result I’m compelled to question the expenditure item for this year in the Judiciary’s budget for the SIPT.
Mr. Speaker in reviewing the budget booklet for this financial year, I am inquiring as to the line item of $600,000 which seeks to cover the cost of the resident judge presiding over this and other ancillary matters. I pause at this as it is public knowledge that the trials will be heard by the Chief Justice of these islands and as such we would of thought a savings would have occurring in this regard as the Chief Justice is a permanent judge in the islands currently. Mr. speaker this accounts for an increase when compared to last year’s budget with a trail judge that was recruited and imported to preside over this matter only.
These trials are sucking these islands dry and like others I too agree that if the UK government is still hell-bent on continuing with these trials they should at the very least share the cost or bare the the financial responsibility of it on its own. To this day Mr. Speaker, this HOA to my knowledge in spite of repeatedly asking, does not know what is the level of expenditure that is being paid to the Prosecution in this trial.
If I were to go on account of what has been alluded to by others, the total expenditures for this trial to date is approaching $150 million. Mr. Speaker, that is almost 50% of this fiscal year’s budget for TCIG. Year after year we advocate to end these trials and today I want to go on the record and say that we must aggressively make this a reality. The people’s money should be used for their advancement and these funds could have been better spent in education, violent crime prevention, and start up capital for our people. Mr. Speaker, I think it is time to say enough is enough and if these trials are to continue, the British Government should be the one to pay.
Mr. Speaker, long lines at our treasury, months on end waiting for drivers licenses and status cards; 21 days for a police certificate; I can go on and on of the many delays and difficulties of doing business in our country. I am overjoyed to see that in this financial year we have budgeted $2 million for the introduction of E Government. This is going to revolutionize the way we do government business in the TCI and finally we will be on par with the rest of the world.
Mr. Speaker, when compared to last year’s budget the department of motor vehicles will receive some increase of little over $200,000 for the implementation of the governance and customer Interface systems to improve service delivery and operations by the fourth quarter. We are also going to improve the service delivery and customer experience in Grand Turk and
the family islands through the extension of services by the end of the first quarter. Mr. Speaker, there’s some 293 licensed public service vehicles and we are well aware of some of these persons request for vehicle plates.
Our economy is booming, and tourists are flocking to these islands. I am aware that there are discussions on whether or not to increase the current quota for public service vehicles. It is my view that existing public service operators who have requested additional vehicle plates should be considered to allow their businesses to grow. I was made to understand that things are progressing in this aspect.
Mr. Speaker $672,500 is allocated on the line item External Donor Expenses. In 2016 the PNP administration negotiated with the Caribbean Developing Bank CDB to address the waste management situation across the TCI. The former government for four years did nothing with those funds other than having it sit there for years while the people of Wheeland and Blue Hills suffered from toxic fumes. I recall schools having to close from the heavy smoke; children couldn’t go outside to play; persons health deteriorated and in some cases attached to ventilators. It seemed, Mr. Speaker, that at that time it was more important for a selective few to be handsomely paid monthly for contract work at the dumpsite rather than addressing the issue once and for all. I am so proud of the people of Wheeland who have made the right choice by electing a competent individual, who not only lives in the district, but also has empathy for its people. This good PNP government, the people’s government is seeking to address this issue once and for all.
Mr. Speaker I accompanied the elected member for Wheeland to a few family homes in the Wheeland district to an unknown area off the grid, but known as the Government Subdivision. We were saddened by the stories from the residents there who felt forgotten over and over by their Government. Those persons were denied and fought for the basic necessities of electricity and access to clean running water. Well today, is indeed a good day, as this good government has budgeted $695,000 for the installation of city waterlines in Wheeland, Blue Hills and Long Bay.
Mr. Speaker, I feel confident in saying that a new day and a new way of doing business has come to the people of our country. I believe that our people now has a government who will listen and not cast blame, a government who will fight for them and not walk on them and a government who will empower them and not consider them to be ungrateful.
Mr. Speaker, except for the areas that I have pointed out, I endorse the programs and initiatives of this year’s budget and I’m grateful for the time given to make my contribution. My God continue to bless us all and these beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.
I thank you.
Hon. Jameka Williams
Governments Appointed Member
