Budget Address by Hon. Jamell Robinson, Minister of Physical Planning & Infrastructure Development
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, Strangers in the gallery, people of these Beautiful by Nature Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as those listening via Radio Turks and Caicos and the internet, good morning/afternoon.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to lend my full support to the Appropriation (2023/2024) Bill 2023 as presented by our Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, the Honourable E Jay Saunders under the theme “Delivering on The Citizen’s Contract: Achieving Social, Economic, and Environmental Progress for All,”
Mr. Speaker, I pause to give God thanks for allowing me to see another Budget Session and then to also express my thanks to my beautiful wife, Yolande, and my three children, my colleagues, and by extension the people of these Beautiful Islands for their continued prayers and support.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to express my gratitude to the hard-working members of Team Infrastructure led by PS Desmond Wilson, without them the great work that PPID continues to do could not be possible. I pause to give a special thanks to Deputy Permanent Secretary Bridgette Newman for her contribution as she takes up her new role. You will be missed.
Mr. Speaker, this good government has been working hard over the last two-plus years to ensure the continued growth and development of our country and that our economy remains stable. While we have accomplished quite a lot, at the same time we recognize that there is much more to be done to enable the people of these islands to enjoy their best lives.
Mr. Speaker, Proverbs 29:18 teaches us that where there is no vision the people shall perish, thus conversely where there is vision, the people will progress and prosper!! This budget Mr. Speaker is the Vision, Goals, and Strategies of this good, good government. This is the people’s government’s guide to delivering on the Citizen’s contract which is our overarching vision for which we were given the largest mandate in the history of this country. A mandate that we do not take lightly.
Mr. Speaker, I will walk you and the listening through some of the key program strategies of my Ministry and its departments to outline why we do what we do and how we intend to do what we do. Simon Sinek says “Regardless of WHAT we do in our lives, our WHY — our driving purpose, cause or belief — never changes”. So again Mr. Speaker our Why is to Achieve Social, Economic, and Environmental Progress for All by Delivering on the Citizen’s Contract!
Infrastructure Key Programme Strategies 2023/2024
Mr. Speaker, a key program strategy for my Ministry is:
1. To develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and trans-border infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
Mr. Speaker, At least 20 million dollars is set to be spent on Roads and Drainage over the next 3 years throughout the communities in the Turks and Caicos Islands of which we are looking to spend close to 10 million this fiscal year. A part of those funds will be allocated to the global review of delivering all roads and transportation infrastructure into the future.
The goal here is to create an infrastructure conveyor belt so that we can systematically improve our infrastructure over time. On taking up the role of Minister of Infrastructure, I am committed to paving every government road in the TCI be it not at once. This will move us ever closer to making this a practical reality. Separately, over $600K is budgeted for the maintenance of roads and drainage throughout the TCI.
Also, Mr. Speaker, please note that there are nearly $45 million dollars in the ongoing South Dock Port Development Project which is set to spend 11.9 million dollars this fiscal year on the current phases. Mr. Speaker one of the things I am most proud of the Community Enhancement Program. I am delighted to say that in the last fiscal year, we were able to provide over 180 jobs to the people of these islands through the CEP program that gave petty and small contractors the opportunity to execute a number of contracts, ranging from demolition works, verge cutting, and road grading, to name a few, across the islands. We have an initial budget of 1 Million dollars. I say initial because I know that once cash from record-breaking revenue projections start rolling in more funds will be available.
Mr. Speaker, I want to appeal to all registered small and medium contractors to ensure that you are registered with the Public Works Department and that careful attention is paid when filling out the technical criteria required for each bid. Please ensure that all information in completely filled as the completeness of this information is a contributing factor to your overall bid consideration.
Mr. Speaker, having had a number of projects already scoped, cost, evaluated, and ready for an award, our goal is to commit all these funds within the first quarter and we are well on our way to doing that with the provisional budget. We have gazebos, sidewalks, speed bumps, cabanas, beautification, demolition works, and lighting projects gearing up across the islands and you will soon see visible signs of activity. Mr. Speaker, this is not to mention the $4.3 Million dollars worth of projects for community parks and recreational facilities across the islands. All in an effort to enhance our communities for the betterment of the People of the Turks and Caicos Islands and its residents. This is just a start Turks and Caicos; the load is behind.
Mr. Speaker, another key program strategy for my Ministry is:
2. To continue to provide technical support across government, including statutory Bodies.
As one of the major custodians of the Capital Program along with the Strategy Planning and Policy Unit (SPPU) and the Procurement Unit, this is a top priority. In total, we have just over 65 million dollars in ongoing and new capital projects for this fiscal year. Knowing the history of slow delivery timelines, my Ministry along with Strategical Planning and Policy Unit (SPPU), and the Procurement Unit have already met with the Premier to devise a game plan to better deliver on projects going forward. Chief of which is training and refreshers of all users involved in the various aspects of the procurement process and regular meetings of Senior Civil Servants and Policymakers to ensure that we are always on the same page and pulling in the same direction. To this end, we will also deploy the strategic use of local consultancy firms to assist in sharing the load placed on the small but mighty staff of Team Infrastructure.
Lastly:
3. To provide access to adequate housing across these Turks and Caicos Islands for those that qualify. – I will dovetail this in speaking about the Housing Department.
Housing Department
For the Housing Department other key Programme Strategies include:
1. Develop an online application process for two housing programs by Q2
2. Launch at least two of the Housing Policy Programs by Q3
3. To raise awareness of the Housing Programs available of the Housing Programs available through advertising, branding, and promotional awareness activities using traditional medium and social media platforms throughout the financial year.
Mr. Speaker, I am also happy to report again that the long-awaited Housing Policy Framework has been approved. Mr. Speaker, there are a number of moving parts as the department finalizes our retrofitting of their new office space and recruitment of additional staff. Mr. Speaker, members would also be aware that the department has benefitted from a $3m injection to jump-start some of our Housing initiatives which will cover aspects of all three of the short-term programs that are due to roll out in the months to come. Business Cases are being developed, amendments to existing legislation are being considered, creation of the home refurbishment program, along with community renewal and infilling in an effort to streamline and maximize the number of housing units put on the market.
Estate Management
Mr. Speaker, I now turn to the Estate Management Department which happens to simultaneously be the biggest and smallest department in the Ministry of Infrastructure as it comprises over 100 janitorial staff members with only 3 Managers who also have responsibility for Security Services and all of TCIG’s Rental Properties. I tip my hat to Director Kennedy and his hard-working staff members that have carried the Estates Department for close to a decade since its establishment. Know that a workable solution is on the table which will allow the department to go from strength to strength. We simply need the appropriate approvals to move forward with it.
A few of the program strategies for the department this fiscal year are as follows:
1. To ensure that all TCIG properties are secured and monitored on a daily basis, by the implementation of additional security officers and security equipment by 1st July 2023.
2. To provide additional insurance for critical government buildings, which provides additional resources to replace properties from fire or man-made accidents.
Mr. Speaker, while expanding its footprint within the islands under the Estates management department, TCIG plans to purchase a number of properties to accommodate government offices to promote safety and improved working environments in government-owned facilities. Mr. Speaker, the Department continues to accommodate departments in newly renovated office spaces as well as seeking new locations. Mr. Speaker, The Director, and his team from the Estates Management Department continue to assist departments in all their cleaning and leasing needs.
Planning Department
Mr. Speaker, since assuming the role of Minister of Infrastructure, I have signed over $100 Million Dollars of Ministerial Certificates for Developments over $1 Million dollars to move forward to the Planning Board. Mr. Speaker, this is just the tip of the ice burg and more development is on the way. Mr. Speaker, in April of this year, the Director of Planning and Consultants (EDSA & ATM) traveled to Philadelphia to attend the American Planning Association National Planning Conference and the team had the opportunity to present the award-winning 2020 TCI National Development Plan (NPDP) as a global planning case study under the theme Archipelago Planning for a Resilient Turks and Caicos. The session enlightened the attendees on how planners and multidisciplinary teams synergize contrasting directions to find a harmonious balance of the natural and built worlds. Mr. Speaker while there is always room for improvement with anything, it was heartwarming to see our Physical Planning Department not only been recognized locally but internationally for the great work that they are doing! That’s worth a round of applause.
Mr. Speaker, that is some of what we’ve done, and here is some of what we intend to do from a strategic standpoint this fiscal year within the planning department:
1. Surveying and mapping of all unlawful/informal settlements within the TCI by February 2024. These strategies would also allow the department to bring at least 60% of these areas into compliance.
Mr. Speaker, we mean business when it comes to informal settlements such that we have allocated initially over $75,000 for Enforcement Operations. For perspective, the over 30 illegal homes demolished in the Bight and hundreds of loads of debris moved to the dump cost just over $40K. Sites that are too big for us to handle on our own will be referred to the Informal Settlement Unit which we are a member of. There are several million dollars available for the running of the unit and other operational and enforcement expenses.
Another Strategy is:
2. To provide widespread awareness of the Physical Planning Ordinance and regulations of the TCI to promote environmental sustainability.
Being a media man myself, look for Team Infrastructure to be on the move with various public education campaigns not only in Planning but across the Ministry.
Public Works Department
Last but by no means least is the Public Works Department which consists of the Maintenance, Project Management, Mechanical Services, and Works Programme Management Divisions.
Just to give you a flavor of some of our key program strategies for 2023/2024, here are five:
1. Installation of Solar Street lights as a pilot program in selected communities throughout the TCI by the end of the third quarter (December 2023)
2. Streamline the procurement process as it relates to the purchase of vehicles
3. Identify skill gaps among supervisors and technicians through an assessment process. (Mechanical Services)
4. Continue with Staff training in FIDIC contracts, PPO, and PM Procedures, PPO and PM procedures training will be conducted quarterly while FIDIC training will be done by the end of the 3rd quarter (Dec 2023) – Project Management Division
5. Improve the efficiency and response time on maintaining the Government estate by the second quarter. This will be achieved through frequent building inspections by PWD staff along with personnel from the Estates Department.
The Project Management Division of the Public Works Department which is responsible for the management of all Capital Development Infrastructure Projects undertaken, is expected to manage a number of projects for FY 2023/2024, with an overall total of 19.6M, under this Ministry, with highlights as follows:
1. Highway and Community Road Improvement – $6.05M
2. Remediation Works to Ponds and Bridges Phase 1 and 2 – $4.75M (with land reclamation)
3. Drainage Improvement Works – $1.1M
4. Enhancement and Restoration of Conch Ground – $1.5 Million
5. Construction of Community Centre – Bottle Creek, North Caicos – $1M
Policies and Ordinances to be Delivered
Mr. Speaker, Matthew 7: 24-27 teaches us that a foolish man builds his house on the sand and a wise man builds his house on the rock. I can assure you Mr. Speaker, Team Infrastructure is as solid a rock as the late Hon. Nathaniel Bops Francis. Mr. Speaker so all that we set out to achieve this fiscal year will go hand and hand with building on a strong foundation of policy and ordinances. As such we will
1. Update the Physical Planning Ordinance, TCI Development manual, and TCI Building Code by December 2023 to keep current with the new NPDP recommendations and best practices.
2. Review and amend the approved vehicle policy by the end of the 1st quarter.
3. Advancing the drafting of the PWD ordinance and have it ready for presentation to Cabinet by the end of the 3rd quarter (December 2023)
4. Complete the amendment of the Project Management Procedures manual ad prepare drafting instructions for submission to a consultant for the drafting of the ordinance by the end of the 3rd quarter (December 2023)
5. Finalizing drafting instructions and working along with the selected consultant to produce a draft PWD Maintenance Policy by the end of the 3rd quarter (December 2023)
Mr. Speaker, my Ministry intends to continue with its capacity building in terms of recruiting additional technical staff that will provide much-needed oversight and support to all our departments under this Ministry, as well as the wider government, including our family islands. Vacancies that exist are as follows:
1. Deputy Director (Planning)
3. Assistant Deputy Director (PWD)
4. Assistant Architect (PMD)
5. Assistant Quantity Surveyor (PMD)
6. Electrical Inspector (Planning)
7. Assistant Director (Planning)
8. Development Control Officer (Planning)
With the assistance of the Human Resources department, several positions have been advertised under this Ministry and we encourage interested persons to submit their application for consideration.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, in the words of Denzel Washington: “Dreams without goals 11 are just Dreams and ultimately, they fuel disappointment. Without commitment, you will never start, but more importantly, without consistency, you will never finish.” Mr. Speaker, in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructural Development, we have a Vision, Goals, and Strategies. We are committed and We will deliver!!
Thank you.
