H.E Governor Damian Ric Todd has released his Christmas Message, which reads:
I find it hard to believe that it is nearly a hundred days since I first came to the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is a pleasure to live here and an honour to be the Governor. As we approach Christmas, I can say that my first Christmas here is certainly different from the one I spent in Warsaw, Poland just last year. There the snow was white rather than the sand.
My arrival on 10th September was just after the completion of the new constitution and British Ministers announcement that elections will be held by the end of next year if the eight milestones were met. These milestones offer us a way forward and a vision of what a better governed TCI can be like. I also believe that we are able to achieve them and to move to elections by the end of next year. I know that many people across the islands very much want this.
Christmas is a time of joy. It also marks the end of advent; a period of waiting, and it offers hope for the future. It is a moment to look back as well as forward. As we look at 2011 we can say it has been a difficult year for many people on TCI. There have been over the last few months essential but painful change. I believe that as we look forward to 2012 there are genuine reasons for hope and optimism. These include rising government revenues, starting to reprioritise spending towards schools and primary health care, economic growth, new investment and increasing tourism. Who would have thought at this time last year that we would be able to welcome over a million visitors to TCI in 2011?
We face many challenges in 2012. I believe that the people of TCI can overcome these challenges. These islands have been blessed. They are rich in nature, and rich in people. I hope that we can all work together in 2012 for the greater good of the Turks and Caicos Islands. As the book of Psalms puts it: “Trust in the Lord and do good”.
Finally I would like to wish each of you and your families a merry and enjoyable Christmas and a happy and successful 2012.
