The New Year brought with it new changes for the elected Government Ministers of the Turks and Caicos Islands, when Premier, Dr. the Hon. Rufus Ewing successfully sought immediate changes to ministerial portfolios and responsibilities.
These changes which will take effect within coming weeks were announced during a Media Briefing held earlier today at the Office of the Premier in Providenciales, where the Premier and Ministers explained a two-phased approach to the Cabinet Shuffle. The first phase, which comes into effect as early as January 19, 2015, will see the main swap in portfolios between Premier Ewing and Minister Porsha Stubbs-Smith and Ministers Amanda Missick and George Lightbourne. The second phase slated for April 1, 2015 will see more intricate departmental changes as well as the renaming of actual Ministries.
Premier Ewing, in gaining the approval of His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham last evening to move forward with the proposed changes, made this comment:
“This shuffle is a very positive restructuring of the Ministerial Government and comes at a critical time in our term in office. In the two years already past there have been tremendous wins in each of the Ministries and the efforts of each Minister should be applauded, as their contributions have been impactful and commendable. By swapping ministerial responsibility, we are able to capture a fresh wave of ideas and energy and it is on that momentum that we seek to maintain the pendulum of success.”
Commencing January 19, 2015, the Ministerial portfolios will be as follows:
Office of the Premier and Ministry of Health- Dr. the Hon. Rufus W. Ewing
Deputy Premier and Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services-Hon. Akierra M. D. Missick
Ministry of Finance, Investment and Trade- Hon. C. Washington Misick
Ministry of Government Support Services- Hon. Amanda Missick
Ministry of Border Control and Labour-Hon. Ricardo D. Gardiner
Ministry of Environment and Home Affairs- Hon. George Lightbourne
Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Heritage- Hon. Porsha Stubbs-Smith
In anticipation of the upcoming 2015/2016 Budget, the following changes are to take effect on April 1st, 2015.
Office of the Premier, Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services
Minister: Dr. Honourable Rufus Ewing
Permanent Secretary: Wesley Clerveaux
Deputy Secretary: Tamera Robinson
• District Administration
• Agriculture Department
• Dental Department
• Primary Health Care Unit
• National HIV Prevention Unit
• Drug & Mental Health Unit
• National Public Health Laboratory
• Emergency Medical Service (Ambulance)
• Environmental Health Department
Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services
Minister: Honourable Akierra Missick
Permanent Secretary: Cheryl Ann Jones
Deputy Secretary: Russell Cox
• Education Administration – Zone 1
• Education Department – Zone 1
• Education Department – Zone 2
• Education Administration – Zone 2
• Tertiary and Further Education
• Helena J Robinson High School
• Clement Howell High School
• Raymond Gardiner High School
• Marjorie Basden High School
• Youth Department
• Sports Department
• Library Department
Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Heritage and Culture
Minister: Honourable Porsha Stubbs-Smith
Permanent Secretary: Desiree Lewis
• Gaming Department
• Culture Department
• Protected Areas Department
• DECR & Maritime Department
• Tourist Board
• Turks and Caicos National Trust
Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication
Minister: Honourable George Lightbourne
Permanent Secretary: Ian Astwood
Deputy Secretary: Porsha Clarke
• Road Safety Department
• Prison Service
• Domestic Fire Department
• Social Development & Gender Affairs
• Central Purchasing Unit
• TCIG Publishing Department
• Postal Services
• Radio Turks and Caicos
• Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies
Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning
Minister: Honourable Amanda Missick
Permanent Secretary: Susan Malcolm
Deputy Secretary: Desmond Wilson
• Planning Department
• Public Works Department
• Engineering and Maintenance Services
• Water Undertaking
• Mechanical Services Division
• Project Management Division
• Maintenance Division
• Energy & Utility Department
Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment
Minister: Honourable Washington Misick
Permanent Secretary (Actg.): Shonia Astwood
Deputy Secretary: Arthur Been
• Budget Office
• Strategic Policy & Planning Unit
• Customs Department
• Revenue Control Unit
• Computer Unit
• Exchange of Information Unit
• Investment Unit
• Port Authority
• TCI Airport Authority
• Financial Services Commission
Ministry of Border Control and Employment
Minister: Honourable R. Donhue Gardiner
Permanent Secretary: Clara Gardiner
Deputy Secretary: Sharon Taylor
• Immigration Department
• Employment Services Department
• Registration and Citizenship
• Labour Tribunal
