admin

Greetings Marking International Anti – Corruption Day

It is an honor to offer Greetings on behalf of the Official Opposition on this historic occasion, that of the Turks and Caicos Islands for the first time recognizing the UN’s Anti - Corruption Day. I congratulate the Integrity Commission for seeing the value and the immediate benefits in recognizing this Day. I also pause at this time to congratulate the Commission on its work thus far and pledge my Party’s support to your efforts. The decision to hold several activities over a few days will undoubtedly increase much needed awareness and hopefully will begin a new approach to anti - corruption initiatives and the push to become a country of great repute known for its integrity.

The Theme 2014

I am equally excited about the Theme chosen to mark this occasion - INTEGRITY: THE BEDROCK OF PROSPERITY AND POSTERITY OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS. Honesty, uprightness, truthfulness and reliability are all words associated with Integrity. In fact one definition says “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness”. This theme simply posits or puts forward that moral uprightness should be the foundation of the wealth and future of these Islands. Who can disagree with such ambitions and bold positive statements spoken over our country? This ought not to be met with opposition and we will all perhaps agree that it is or should be. Nonetheless as we think on this theme, we ought to collectively and individually to reflect on the role that we are playing, have played and can play to maintain or achieve this. I offer the position that we are not there as yet but as sure as I am of my Statement, I am certain and confident that we are on our way and we can get there.

THE IMPORTANCE OF INTEGRITY

As Leader of the Opposition, I see my role as critical in ensuring that we achieve this objective and it begins with me as an individual. The Opposition plays a part in ensuring good governance particularly as a built in oversight body in our democracy. However as elected representatives much rest on my colleagues and I to serve the people of these Islands with integrity whether in our official capacity or in our personal lives. This ought never to be taken lightly as decisions made today can and affect generations to come and it ought to be our goal to leave a legacy of good decisions, good deeds and good reputation. As a guardian much is expected. I salute other Institutions that are equally as important and ought to be seen as valued partners. Nonetheless, the importance of Good Governance achieved through honest, transparent and accountable actions by persons in elected positions of trust can never be overemphasized. Integrity ought to become the watch word of those in leadership and this begins in our individual lives.

Moral uprightness has not occupied the place of prominence it used to in time past and this must see a reversal. Our upbringing was based on solid Christian principles – the tenants of our faith taught us to honor God, to respect authority, to be honest in our dealings, to work honestly for honest pay, respect self and others and to be firm in our moral stance. We must return to this foundation. The Church, our most valued partner must play its role in nation building and must join front in center in ensuring that we uphold this tradition. Not all traditions should be abandoned and the determination to ensure that our children attend Sunday School, Bible Class or Children’s Ministry, Youth Group Ministry and Church cannot be ignored if we want integrity to become the bedrock of prosperity and posterity for these Islands.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PARTNERING TO EDUCATE

We therefore must come to the realization that no one can achieve this alone and it must be a cooperative effort with all other stakeholders. As a single unit working together from the national to the community to the individual level with a commonness of purpose to maintaining integrity in the halls of politics and in every other national area of decision making and in our personal lives, this objective is achievable. We must have a zero tolerance for anything less. Buy in is critical from all stakeholders and we must view ourselves as partners and not adversaries noting that this can only be achieved through education, mutual trust, respect and consistency in our actions.

THE NEED TO PUSH FORWARD

The fight against corruption is nothing new to any part of the world but it must not be allowed to take root in these Islands. Unfortunately places and people are too often known for the bad rather than the good but it must then be our determination to ensure that there is much “more” good about us.

As already leaders in the anti - corruption fight regionally, we must hold ourselves to the high standard that others have set for us. It is a good thing to be seen in this light and worthy of celebration. We must accept this burden that it places on us and it must become a burden that we are happy to bear. It is therefore then incumbent on all of us to do our part to maintain the image that we seek to have others see. On our jobs and wherever we serve we must hold fast to the vision of making today’s Theme a reality. From the home, we must train our children to understand the value of becoming men and women of integrity so that a wholesome and godly heritage can pass on from us to our future generations and we must remember that we ought always to practise what we preach. This was and must return as the bedrock of these Islands. As guardians through Institutions we must serve and lead with integrity and without fear or favour. It is only then that we can truly celebrate the accomplishment of today’s theme INTEGRITY: THE BEDROCK OF PROSPERITY AND POSTERITY OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.

I say congratulations again to the Commission, to those of you who are in attendance here and to you’re the Schools and students who will receive awards later on today.

May God lead, guide and bless us all. I am ready to do my part, are you?

by admin

Remarks Delivered by The National Chairman Half Term Press Conference (December 2014)

I would like to extend greetings to members of the Press and Officers and Members of the PDM to this mid - term Press Conference called by the PDM. This is a very important time in the term of this Government for us to do our review of the PNP Government led by Dr. Rufus Ewing.

Before we venture any further we will ask Hon Derek Taylor to do the prayers.

Once again I would like to say a very pleasant good morning to those listening by Radio or by Telecast. The members of the PDM in the House Of Assembly has not been sleeping. We have done our duty in keeping the Government accountable to the people as best we could. We have to say at the outset that in the history of democracy in the TCI, we have never seen so many things apparently done in the interest of the people, yet at the same time have been classified, and unavailable to the public.

Financial Audit of the Hospital: not available

How much the Treasury paid former AG Huw Shephard: unavailable (case finished, money paid and Members of the House are told no, when we asked)

The Clinical Audit of the Hospital: not available

This Government has promised a lot and we will grade their performance based on what they promised and not according to our Blue Print. The Government campaigned on providing jobs for unemployed, reviewing the Hospitals one sided contract with a view of reducing cost and improving access, improving education and providing scholarships, diversifying our economy.

In brief, the Government has not delivered on its promises to the people. They have made our people to feel like aliens in their Homeland. No access to land in a fair manner, no protection on the job and no amendments to labour laws to address known problems where the absence of Regulations leave the workers at the mercy of employers who only care about their bottom line.

Our Record On Motions Brought To The House

There are critics who feel we are not doing enough to keep the Government in check. The Premier does not think so, in fact he feels we are bringing matters before the House in the form of Motions to force them to give consideration to matters that affect the lives of people. Our actions has been described as “pre-empting” what they had plans to do: eg Immigration: Sean Astwood, VAT: Leader of Oppositon, Mininum wage: Hon Edwin Astwood, National Symposium and Environmental Matters: Hon Goldray Ewing, Sale of shares Provo Water Company: Hon Derek Taylor. These Motions were carried and the Government did nothing to address the concerns raised in these motions.^*

We have bent over backward to assist this Government because we felt it was necessary. But when we hear statements from the Premier that we have to wait our turn and the Government’s Appointed Member saying in the House that no Government listens to the Opposition, it made it crystal clear that we were casting our pearls before swine. We have tried and there is no role for us to play as far as the Premier is concern. They handle us with contempt and disrespect. They do not involve us in the formulation of policy and we are informed when the general public is informed, case in point, the recent travel policy in the headlines of the Sun Newspaper.

The Government has repeatedly acted contrary to the Constitution, the Governance Principles and the Code Of Conduct For Persons In Public Life. They do not tell the truth. The financial obligations in the Constitution are not complied with for 2 consecutive years.

I do not want to run the risk of covering areas that the Shadow Ministers will address. Ladies and gentlemen I now call on the Hon Leader to make her mid - term Presentation.

*Other Private Member’s Motions brought were Crime Fighting Tools by Hon Goldray Ewing and Pensions and Gratuities for the Civil Service brought by the Hon Leader of the Opposition

by admin

MIDTERM REVIEW AND ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE HON LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION “EWING LED PNP GOVERNMENT, A DISMAL FAILURE”

Good Morning Members of the Media. Thank you for coming.
The Hopes and The Let Down

Two years ago, the Turks and Caicos Islands was excited to see a return to elected Government – our very own Elected Government. Having lived through a period where the Administrators wanted the power but not the care. Little did we all know that there would be much of the same. Two years later, there has been no real change for the people of this country. They are still hurting, hungry, unemployed, battling with a broken healthcare system, homeowners are seeing more and more foreclosures, youth – our future is left wandering around unemployed and underemployed wondering where and if they fit in in this country’s design, civil servants are forced under its former champion to work with little to nothing having often to bear attacks from the very same Government that does not give them the resources – critical revenue generating departments are going upwards of 6 months without ink, no vehicles, broken down buildings and no raise.

This Rufus Ewing led PNP Government appears to have an overarching policy of not speaking to or with its people and being indifferent to their concerns and cries. This is clearly evident as they continue to appear on safe Shows, ignore questions, try to absent themselves in Press Conferences and refuse to consult on major life changing and country altering laws eg the time change, the increase in story levels and of course the ill - fated Immigration Bill.

What has changed in 2 years? We are now neglected by our very own elected Government. Ask yourselves: Am I any better off today than I was before my very own elected Government?

What has changed? Things have progressively gotten worse. Yet the Premier a few days ago, literally patted themselves on the back as to the great job that his Government is doing and as recent as Friday during a News Telecast said that the economy is good for the Government. What about the people?

The economy is healthy he says. His Minister of Finance says that we have an operating surplus of $40 million dollars. Yet there is severe shortage of critical resources in the Public Service: Critical positions remain vacant, the Civil Service Pay and Regrading Exercise completed since February 2013 remains unfunded, the Clinics remain without medication and supplies, departments remain without vehicles, offices without paper and ink, work permits (treated as a revenue generator) are still being given while our people remain unemployed. Yet we hear the PNP Government boast about a surplus and a huge surplus without the payroll tax and without VAT.

The PNP Government has in a very short period become a dismal failure and the cries of what a dismal failure this Government has been has been coming from all quarters including high ranking officers in their very own camp. One lamented that this Premier is a one termer while another in an impassionate plea for attention to healthcare said that this country could not take another two years of this PNP Government. And we agree. The people of this country are feeling the failure every day and because of the acute failure of this Government, they are calling on the Opposition to do more and govern.

The PNP did inherit a broke country from itself. It did inherit a people broken in spirit and hope. They have on the hard working backs of our people taxed them into a deeper state of hopelessness and weaker spirits. On the heel of the closure of TCI Bank, many of the same persons are fearful of losing their life long investments in British Atlantic Financial Services, many persons continue to be taken advantage of on jobs where the Labour Department and Government appear powerless and/or compromised, minimum wage is yet to become a living wage, the Government’s tax strategy has caused the cost of living to sky rocket and the dollar has lost purchasing power. They have not help the people of these Islands. In fact, they have made matters worse.

We have called on the Government over the past two years to deal with the bread and butter issues, to not neglect social issues, to ensure that our people get to work and be paid a living wage instead of a $5 minimum wage, to address the issue of work permits and illegal employment, to staff the Labour Department to a functioning level, to repair the roads, to create economic stimulus packages for Family Islands. All this in an effort to ensure that any upturn in the economy would be felt by our people. Unfortunately all we got was that the Government’s hands were tied with the Constitution and lately with the PFM Ordinance and Regulations.

Here we are midterm and our people are perhaps worse off than they were before elected Government. Yet we boast of having an operating surplus.

The Partnership

The people through the Election results told us what the wanted. More people voted for the PDM (50.13%) than the PNP (44.87%), the PDM enjoyed wider margins of victory, won more national seats and secured the top spot in the All Island Constituency. Nonetheless in a twist of fate, the PNP won 8 and of the 15 seats with smaller margins of victory and became the Government. These close results demonstrated a divided people but signaled for a mature elected Body, the need to work together. Under my leadership we tried to do just that. Over and over the olive branch was extended and the request was made to allow us to help. The place that TCI had found itself in required a different style of governance, one that was more mature and more patriotic and nationalistic.

Though we remain firm and astute in our oversight role through Parliamentary Committees, challenging Government’s Policies inside and outside of Parliament, raising issues through Motions, Questions and other Parliamentary Agenda Items, our Party’s Radio Show “Raising TCI”, TV, Radio and Print Media appearances, we attempted on many occasions to blur political lines to work in the best interest of the country. We were successful in finally being allowed to join the Government in the VAT repeal (where we brought a comprehensive Motion outlining a shared position), the Country’s Constitution (where we supported the Government’s Motion and the appointed persons to the Review Committee). Despite the PNP’s utterings that the Constitution was a major stumbling block to performance, the Opposition had to call out the Government and literally force them to move forward with the work of the Constitution Committee. We pause to thank all the members of the Review Committee who participated in the Review exercise and who assisted the Chairman with his Report which he delivered to the Premier a few days ago. In our efforts to work together, we supported the Government on its admission as a full member - a contributing country for UWI. We have also supported a Motion to support the introduction of Credit Unions and the NHIP Amnesty Bill. We have along with the Government supported the private drafted Bill introducing fractional ownership which can if fully explored can create a new niche in TCI’s market. There is definitely no truth to the Opposition being called a stumbling block to governance for we have supported the Government when the actions were considered to be in the best interest of these Islands.

The Fight Is Real

Nonetheless, we have fought against many of the Government’s tax initiatives and have been successful on two major Bills. The Payroll Tax which would have been life altering in many respects was defeated. The Immigration Bill requires public consultation with the people, more input from the enforcers of that Bill and much more policy thought and data. We are pleased that in response to a Parliamentary Question, the Premier has agreed to public consultation. We also fought in relation to Business Licenses, hikes in import duty, taxes on certain services, the Government’s Dormant Accounts where its proceeds were not to be ear marked or placed into a special fund, the high fines in the Dogs’ Ordinance, Stamp Duty increase and other points on Internationally driven Bills where certain provisions were far reaching and going beyond what other countries were doing and to our disadvantage.

We have petitioned the Government to address the Civil Service and its low morale, its lack of resources and training needs.

We have called on them to help small business to survive and not to tax them or push them out of business.
We have called for a widening and greater policing of our reserved business categories
We have called for stimulation packages.
We have called for Healthcare Audits that would address the financial hemorrhaging and review of clinical care.
We have called for coverage for the unemployed in healthcare and for resources in Primary Health Care
We have called for a review of the Police Force and the removal of the Commissioner of Police who has quickly become a failure
We have called for the reinstatement of Pensions and Gratuities as an attraction to and retention in the Public Service.
We have called for Programs for our youth and a Juvenile facility.
We have called for a National Agenda to plot a way forward for TCI
We have called for public consultation on critical issues like Immigration
We have called for conservation methods for our marine stock and the cessation of the longline fishing method during the Pelagic Fishing Study.
We have called for careful immigration policies that will address the plight of many
We have called for youth programs, prison reform and assistance for the elderly and special needs clients.
We have called for increased crime fighting tools, greater resources and leadership change for the Police.
We have called on them on individual Island issues.
Needless to say these concerns have not been the priority nor on the Agenda for the PNP.

Legislative Agenda of the PNP

After nearly two years of calling for a legislative agenda, one was produced and not met. The PDM continued its call so that it could see the minds of the PNP Government whose Agenda was simply money Bills or Internationally driven Bills. There remains a body of laws (especially social legislation) that requires attention. There remains a few problematic Bills passed by the Interim Administration that both the PDM and PNP campaigned about and promised to address once we became the Government. In fact in my Speech delivered on the date of the Swearing In Ceremony, I committed myself and my Party to working together on their repeal and/or amendments. Two years later and this PNP Government has not brought to the Table the Crown Land Management Bill nor the Equality Bill. It has supported the Trial Without A Jury Bill which is in our minds not a political issue but which has unfortunately turned into one. We remain committed to a man’s natural justice right to be tried by a jury of his peers and to the reinstatement of the automatic right in the Country’s Constitution. We can not and will not support any Bill or action that can be deemed unconstitutional.

The PNP’s Agenda

The PNP’s Agenda has been clear from day one and the only plan a foot seemed to be to tax the people of this country in an effort to support its tax strategy. We remain firm in our position that taxing one’s way out of a recession is a lazy, outdated approach that lacks innovation and that has been proven to shrink the economy and cause greater suffering and hardship. We see the end result. Government has a huge operational surplus and our people are suffering under undue strain and hardship.

The Country Poverty Assessment was released and has received no policy response or statement from the Government. The Government’s first major action after its release was to introduce a new tax.

This report despite our calls, have been ignored by the Government. It speaks to the state of households and the inability to pay all Bills, deals with social issues and makes recommendations. It is a Guide for a Government on issues with reference to age groups, special categories of people including youth, the vulnerable, different nationalities and it addresses generally the plight on each Island.

Nothing has prevented the PNP Government from addressing the issues affecting our country and our people. The Constitution nor the PFM Legislation and Regulations hinder them. For whatever reason, they were determined to ignore the cries of the people. This is a Government who knows its powers and did not use them. We have drawn the conclusion that they do not know what to do. And here we are in the Opposition being asked often to use the powers that they refuse to use. The Turks and Caicos Islands cannot continue in this vein. The people are calling for a change and it must come.

Each Island is suffering and is left hopeless and destitute.

Around The Islands
Providenciales

Two years after a PNP Government, persons in Providenciales are struggling and are enduring poor treatment and conditions in their work place. The cost of living is beyond their reach and like the other Islands many people are going to sleep hungry.

South Caicos

The people of South Caicos have never had it so bad. We have kept the issue of the Airport front and center as this is critical in support of the Resorts near completion and operating. We have conducted a Media Tour of the Island to highlight the needs and concerns of the residents there. The youth remain without sporting grounds, the elderly and sick remain without a Clinic that has the basic medication and supplies and the stressful position of having to send prescriptions to Provo to be filled by relatives, if you are so lucky to be able to, still obtains. The Fire Fighters and Civil Servants are still working from poor standard buildings. The Island remains overgrown and appears un-kept. The Airport remains an eyesore with a rundown terminal, burnt building and unfinished structure with overgrown bush. The Fishing Industry remains challenged. Unemployment is still high. There are concerns about the water supply with the condenser being out of service and the pressure on one tank. The social needs are great and like many of the Family Islands, South Caicos remains neglected. Last year monies were agreed in the Budget in an amendment to have $40k spent on a works program and not a dime was released.

Grand Turk

Grand Turk suffered a blow when many opted to take the voluntary severance packages. This resulted in an increase in unemployment and other social issues. The major private sector member on the Island remains Carnival and we hear of its threatening to pull out for a number of reasons including the general state of the Island with poor roads and general uncleanliness. The roads remain among some of the worst roads in the country and the lack of resources a few weeks ago saw household garbage left uncollected for over 6 weeks increasing the general uncleanliness of the Islands and the threat of disease spread. Grand Turk under this Government has been neglected.

Salt Cay

The tiny Island of Salt Cay has a new Clinic and a House for its new RO Plant but both places are empty. There are still serious challenges with the water supply and residents are worried about how it may affect its tourist season. They are also worried about the reduce flights in and out of the Island. Under this Government, more than half of Salt Cay’s residents have listed their homes for sale. Salt Cay once described as the cleanest Island is plagued too often with litter. The victim of voluntary severance, I have made calls for an additional staff member to help to keep the Island clean.

North Caicos

North Caicos needs attention and can benefit from the reintroduction of the Works Program which will serve a two - fold purpose, that of keeping the Island in a better state and of injecting monies into the economy. We have called for this since last year’s Budget and will not abandon our calls. The residents are still awaiting the new promised Ambulance and Fire Truck and a better housing for the Clinic and the Police Station.

Middle Caicos

Middle Caicos can also benefit from the reintroduction of the Works’ Program. Both Islands face challenges with accessing secondary healthcare often time being asked to bear the cost to travel to an Interhealth Canada Facility. The small School can benefit from the urgent services of an Assistant Teacher. The Caves are waiting for bathroom facilities since last year’s Budget. Middle Caicos residents lamented recently that they are in the back of the back burner when expressing their feeling of being neglected.

The introduction of local government is a must for these Islands.

CONCLUSION
The Role Of The Opposition

This Rufus Ewing led Administration is a dismal failure and because of the absence of a strong people’s Government, the people are asking the Opposition to use powers that it does not have. We continue to do as much as we can reminding the people that in a democracy such as ours and in the absence of a coalition Government, only one Party (the one who wins the most seats) can govern as a time. We are not the Government nor do we have executive powers. We have offered to help and have been told by the Premier to wait our turn to govern. We have reached across the floor and presented a well thought out Financial Plan as an alternative and the plan was dismissed yet aspects of it were used. In fact, the Hon Ruth Blackman to loud applause stated in the House of Assembly that no Government listens to the Opposition. This is the plight in which we find ourselves. The people of these Islands must understand that if you want a PDM Government, you must vote in a PDM Government.

So much is left undone yet we hear boastings about surplus. No we do not expect the Government to go on a spending spree but simply to have mercy on the people and to address some of the priority issues. There is too much that is left undone. We are asking the Government immediately to consider the Works Program and to clean up these Islands through small and petty contracts and to repair critical roads like the Front Street and Lighthouse Roads in Grand Turk.

A Call To Clean Up

Nonetheless as a people, our reputation is at stake. Our reviews are too frequent that we are dirty. On Saturday, It is TCI Shines and I am encouraging all of us to help where we can. Individuals, home owners, Churches, Schools, Civic Groups, Politicians get into your constituency and let’s clean up an area for the good of our country. The Government must introduce a sustainable program that includes fines and penalties. We can ill afford to continue as we are. I had hoped that during the past two months (Heritage Month and Tourism Awareness Month) that the Premier and his Government would seek to invoke good practices for reasons of promoting good health, tourism and national pride. Please join in on Saturday during TCI Shines and clean up your area or adopt an area for that day.

ON WORLD AIDS’ DAY

Today is recognized globally as World AIDs Day. This year’s Theme is “Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation.” I believe that through awareness and safe practices, we can achieve this. I was concerned when I learnt of the age group that does have the fastest growing number of cases. This concerns me, because it is also the largest group in Prison and is also the age group that is expected to be the steady contributor to social schemes such as NHIP and NIB. Greater efforts must be made to support the work of the AIDs Department and to provide resources to educate and create awareness. This year’s theme is not far fetching for a small country such as ours, it is achievable as long as we make responsible individual decisions.

I commend Mrs Aldora Robinson and her Team on their work, the AIDs Foundation and all its volunteers. I wish you all the very best in your future endeavors and pledge my and my Party’s support. Depression and Post - Partum depression.

I wish in closing to turn our attention to a serious issue that has been luring over the TCI in more recent times – that of depression, post - partum depression and suicide.

More monies must be placed in the under-resourced area of mental health. With the recent experiences here and abroad showing the effects of depression and other related illnesses, we must understand the importance of providing support to those who fall prey and to families. We must understand the importance of supporting awareness campaigns and of removing the stigma. We can ill afford to lose any more otherwise productive citizens. To this end I encourage us to pray for those families that are grieving and those who continue to face challenges. I wish to use this platform to invite the general public to a Benefit Concert at the Jericho Baptist Church on Sunday December 7, 2014 at 7pm in aid of the Brooks Family. Let us revisit our roots and be our brother’s keepers.

THE FINAL WORD

We in the Opposition PDM are positioned to govern and each Shadow Minister will share his and her accomplishments as Shadow Ministers , his or her assessment of the Ministry shadowed and what is left undone. Over the next three weeks, Press Statements will be released. This week Hon Derek Taylor and Hon Sean Astwood will release their Statements. The week commencing Monday December 8, 2014 will be the Hon Goldray Ewing and the Hon Josephine Connolly. Week three, the week commencing December 15, 2014 will be the Hon Edwin Astwood and the Hon Delroy Williams.

We remain committed to the cause for which we were elected – that of representing our people and fighting and working for the best interests of these Islands. We are on the job and will remain on the job. We want to remind you that you can count on us.

Award for Presentation to PNP Ministers
Award for Presentation to The Premier

by admin

National Day of Thanksgiving Address (November 2014)

The attached is a copy of the speech as given bythe Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands on November 28, 2014.
National Day of Thanksgiving Message

by admin

A Message From Premier Dr. The Hon. Rufus W. Ewing On The Recent Violent Crimes Amongst Turks And Caicos Islanders (June 2015)

Listen to the audio

My fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, it is with a heavy heart that I, on behalf of my Government express our grave concerns for the violence among the youth of our country, which as of recent has resulted in the deaths of three male Turks and Caicos Islands and the injuries of many others.

While the Turks and Caicos Islands still enjoy a relatively low crime rate and is still the best place in the world to be, the crimes among the young people are extremely disturbing, especially with indigenous Turks and Caicos Islanders only accounting for one-third of the population. We cannot allow the future of these islands to run in the gallows, as a government and a community we must do all within our powers now to halt this trend of gang-associated violence and crimes, and save our young men and to ensure that they have the best opportunities to make positive contributions to the development of our country.

In a meeting held this morning, I expressed my Government’s concerns to the Commissioner of Police, as well as the Governor. I have asked for an updated briefing on the matters of the deaths which occurred for the year and I have also asked for an immediate update on those cold case files that have yet to be solved. I have asked that the Commissioner implement an immediate strategy for the crack down and control on the number of guns that are on the streets and that it specifically focuses on the elimination of the point of importation for illegal guns and tighten up on the detection and prosecution of persons found with illegal weapons within their possession.

I have also impressed on the Commissioner the urgent need to reignite the neighborhood watch and community police programs and to establish a retired police and community leaders advisory group as immediate measures that can assist with combating crime and thwarting criminal activities. My Government will continue to work closely with the police to provide them with the resources and support they need to do their jobs effectively. In addition to these measures on which the Commissioner and I have agreed, my government in addition to advancing the development of technical vocational programs at the Community College, will be working closely with multi-national community and religious leaders and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA), auto mechanic shops, the utility companies and others to seriously look at the apprenticeship programs for young people, starting from the third or fourth form, thereby instilling in them good work ethics and a sense of self-worth and self-pride.

Further, if we are earnestly going to stem the violent crime situation it must be a community effort and I therefore would like to call on community leaders and persons of influence represented in the Turks and Caicos Islands to join our fight and to initiate mentorship programs and other programs geared towards the development of young people.

Finally, each and every one of us have a role to play in preserving the lives and safety of our citizenry and especially our children. We must be responsible in reporting to the police, information that we observe and know that can be of assistance to investigations and bring offenders to justice. There are agencies that we can call on for help for our troubled youth and we need to utilize these avenues to ensure that our children get the help that they need.

These incidents of violent crime are very serious and of grave concern and my Government will be working very closely with the Police and other law enforcement agencies like immigration and customs to see how best we can assist them in getting their jobs done.

May God bless you and may He bless these Turks and Caicos Islands.

by admin