Newly-elected Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie pledged to strengthen ties between The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) during a recent meeting in Nassau with Doug Parnell, deputy leader of the TCI’s Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM). The Bahamas prime minister was relaxing after a grueling and hard fought election campaign as he welcomed Parnell to his home on Cable Beach.
They spoke about the need for closer ties and association between The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Christie recognized that there are more than 40,000 Turks and Caicos Islanders living in The Bahamas.
Parnell congratulated the prime minister on his Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) 29-9 victory at the polls on May 7 over the Free National Movement (FNM), then led by former prime minister, Hubert Ingraham. Parnell complimented Christie over his messaging of generational leadership change within the PLP.
Christie sympathized with the Turks and Caicos people over the suspension of elected government and hoped for an early return of self rule. Parnell encouraged Christie to continue to follow developments in the TCI, as Britain is expected to set elections for the end of this year.
The PLP leader and the PDM deputy leader also discussed Christie’s pledge to overhaul the existing air sector policy to create a safer and more efficient air transport system.
According to the Speech from the Throne in The Bahamas Parliament, this will include the creation of a modern civil aviation regulatory regime, the creation of a fully independent body to investigate air accidents, enhanced communications technology and upgraded radar equipment. Additionally, steps will be taken by the Christie-led PLP administration to address the management of The Bahamas Flight Information Region, which will permit access to over-flight fees on the upper airspace of The Bahamas.
Parnell also indicated that the return of upgraded air services to Mayaguana would increase trade between the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands and called on The Bahamas PM to help facilitate these trading links in the southern Bahamas/Turks and Caicos Islands archipelago by returning customs and immigration to that island by making it a port of entry.
Currently, aircraft and vessels destined for Mayaguana must enter The Bahamas by travelling south to Inagua, presenting a cost barrier to trade. Mayaguana is less than 20 miles from Providenciales.
The PDM deputy leader thanked Christie for paying attention to the ongoing situation in the Turks and Caicos Islands, as a former PM (2002-2007) and as leader of the opposition (2007-2012). Parnell invited The Bahamas prime minister to pay an early visit to the TCI.
