RTC Director

RESPONSE TO THE THRONE SPEECH BY OPPOSITION LEADER

                      RESPONSE TO THE THRONE SPEECH BY Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson

                                                  “We Need A Plan”

Salutation

My Speaker, Hon Colleagues, Persons in the Gallery, Listeners by Radio, Good morning.

Greetings

I wish to extend my very best wishes to the people of these Islands and to wish all a progressive, happy and Christ filled New Year. And then I wish to extend my sincerest sympathy to all those who have lost loved ones during the festive season and early in this New Year. I will continue to pray that the God of comfort visits you and your home. To you Mr Speaker, my colleagues and I extend to you and your family our deepest sympathy. And then on a more positive note, I wish to extend our best wishes to Ma Dookie who is celebrating her Birthday today. May God continue to bless you with good health and strength.

Throne Speech 2012

Just a little over a year ago, we were here in Parliament opening this Hon House for its first session and bursting with excitement as a people to have an elected Government and riding on high hopes that we will be able to move quickly ahead in the right direction in all efforts to restore our country, our dignity and our reputation through mature, visionary and a progressive partnership. Yes we had hoped.

We saw a slow start and attributed it to a planning process realizing that it was the obvious position that the Government elected had not been ready to govern from Day 1. We saw a Bi Election where the slogan “Full Speed Ahead” was abandoned for “Staying the course”. The people of these Islands returned the Ewing led Administration and even though in the Opposition for love of country, we were hoping that the already sluggish Government would receive an energy boost or at the very least an inspiration and injection of enthusiasm to work for the people of these Islands. Mr Speaker, Some 14 months later and we are still marking time on spot on too many critical areas.

We, Mr Speaker, I like the people of these Islands are dismayed and disappointed that much more hasn’t been done towards fulfilling the promises or commitments made in the then Throne Speech last year or the Budget Address. In fact it has been exactly 1 year and 2 months to date since a new Government was elected and exactly 426 days which means that the first 100 days plan could have been approached and achieved at least 4 times.

Mr Speaker, as I sat and listened to the Throne Speech I realized that I was not as enthusiastic and as hopeful as I was 426 days ago. A novice though seasoned in Party Politics, I had hopes of working together on all fronts to move this country forward. You see Mr Speaker, I believed that egos and arrogance had no place in this period and that there would be a mind to rebuild together realizing that it was a difficult time and place to lead and there was a need to pull together. Mr Speaker though late, we on this side of the House got the message and albeit late, we got the message, we are told to wait our turn to govern. 

So Mr Speaker forgive me if I am not as hopeful that this Government will live up to the new commitments made this year in the Throne Speech when it failed to deliver on 69 of the 74 commitments made last year.

5 we see evidence of being worked on, 5 commitments were removed from the Government’s own Budget and 2 Programs ongoing removed from the Budget, the others we have either no update or no action at all in the periodic reports or the end of year Addresses.

Mr Speaker we note the absence of the Guiding Principles in this year’s Throne Speech. The Government committed to be led by two Guiding Principles. Mr Speaker some 400 years later and there is no declaration in this regard and perhaps Mr Speaker the single line included about Christian beliefs is to be its substitute but though it mentions good govern, they have abandoned the use of the words transparency and accountability. But Mr Speaker I see why, because we saw the greatest breach because last year of transparency. Perhaps the best examples of lack of transparency is the position on the two write offs where the Opposition had to beg for background information, accountability (Failure to answer questions properly and sometimes not at all. At one point Mr Speaker on one occasion, you yourself had to say to a Minister that that could not be the answer to the question. And Mr Speaker, good governance, Mr Speaker, we saw breaches and the dismissal of the Code of Conduct and provisions of the Constitution.

Mr Speaker there is a sense of de javu and that Mr Speaker is because the Throne Speech appear  mirrors heavily the same Throne Speech in November 2012 and Mr Speaker some sections are the exact word or simply tweaked but has the same meaning.

We are pleased to see the following areas raised in the Throne Speech but again are more than skeptical that the Government will do anything.

Mr Speaker the goals identified by the Government are issues of concern that the people have in this country and I am happy that the Government is at least mentioning the people’s issues and I applaud them. However Mr Speaker I note the absence of a stronger commitment to protect our environment and natural resources.

Mr Speaker I congratulate the Government on its successful efforts to get stalled Projects going as this was critical in the area of creating jobs. And Mr Speaker I wish to call on the Government to ensure through its issuance of work permits and other policies that Turks and Caicos Islanders are given preference for the jobs during the construction and operational stages.

Whilst a Throne Speech cannot contain everything, a Government’s priority is shown in it and we are disappointed that the highlighted in this Address.

A few words mentions about the Constitution Commission is not good enough. Mr Speaker we expected to see a more committed approach to the review of the Country’s Constitution considering the Opposition has called for it and supported the establishment of a Committee to review and additionally Caricom has also made this recommendation. Mr Speaker, we spent the greater part of last year, hearing the Premier and members of his Cabinet speak to the Constitution as a stumbling block but we see that the Commission or the Constitution was not a priority but seems to be preferred as a crutch to complain that it, the Government is unable to do certain things.

Mr Speaker the members on this side of the House as Shadow Ministers will speak to the areas they shadow but I will highlight a few points and begin with the area that I shadow.

Mr Speaker we had hoped to see the following areas treated as priority :

Immigration – for the last year and two months we waited for the promised Immigration Policy promised to be built upon the still relevant 2004 BRC Report and the promised consultation. What we saw was a piece meal approach and scattered policies and rumors of what the Government was intending to do or did.

On the matter of unemployment we expected a commitment to the review of work permits and to begin an approach from using the grant of same to secure revenue. We expected that the Government would have finally seen the wisdom in our recommendation on which we campaigned and that is for a comprehensive immigration system that will maintain a skills data base, the number of work permits and details to ensure understudies and the placement of TC Islanders in key stakeholder positions and also the assist the Government in its national needs list for recruitment overseas and for scholarships and training. We expected that there would be a firmer commitment to ascertain the true picture of the unemployed. But what we got is the comfortable statement. Mr Speaker we know the problems in Immigration and Labour and it appears that the Government does not have the will power to want to deal with this issue. Mr Speaker in 2004 the then Government spent over $100k on a Consultation that has been endorsed by two British advisors and remains relevant and we are still here making a weak Statement in the Throne Speech again and the promised consultation in the last Throne Speech has been removed. Mr Speaker. Immigration needs clear and transparent policies, a reliable database and a highly motivated, trained and well resources Ministry.

Policy of Haiti – Mr Speaker with the flirting going on between this country and the country with which we have the greatest challenge in the breach of our borders and with the uneasiness and tension rising among our people, I expected a clear statement on this or at least an indication for a firm policy to be crafted on what our relationship with Haiti will be. Mr Speaker our people want to know what are the Government’s plans, what is the role of the Consulate in these Islands and what are we doing to truly address border control and the rising cost of detention and repatriation of illegal immigrants.

Mr Speaker, our people need to know yes but also Mr Speaker, this country needs a plan, a plan on how we will interact and how we will work together where we can.

Civil Service – Mr Speaker I am certain the CS feel like me when we did not hear a stronger commitment to addressing the plight of the Civil Service. This time Mr Speaker there is only one new of the three Promises made last time. The Civil Service is again promised a Recognition and Incentive Plan. Last time it was promised a salary review, the reinstatement of the already promised 10% and mandatory training and Management studies training. This level of training has disappeared. Mr Speaker in the absence of a clearly defined Policy and Strategic Plan for the CS in the public domain, we are left to view from the outside and to watch decisions being made. Mr Speaker, there remains a trend to put in place expatriate heads in key strategic positions where we once had locals. And Mr Speaker before the someone from the other side jumps up and name the local heads and attempt to distract our attention from the real issues, I caution them to see the issue and hear the cry of the Civil Servants and remember their plight.  Mr Speaker we have heard over and over from that side of the House the fact that there are senior government officials with more power than an elected government, Mr Speaker though we are the Opposition we will never stand by and see people elected by the people be denied the opportunity to represent its people. Mr Speaker, we on this side of the House appreciate the passion with which the Minister of Govt Support Services spoke raising concerns from where he sits. Mr Speaker we too have concerns on matters of the Civil Service and even when we are threatened with the Constitution and Code of Conduct, we will continue to raise those concerns on behalf of our hard working and under resourced civil servants. Mr Speaker I am not sure under this system whether Government is allowed to make policies for the Civil Service but I am sure that the Government still sets the policy of the day and civil servants are required to carry them out and not frustrate the Government’s Agenda. Mr Speaker, I expect the Government to take a greater lead on this issue. We were promised a salary review and training and in true Maury style, the Budget determined that was a lie. Mr Speaker, the Civil Service needs attention and a coming together of the leaders of this country to build a more efficient, effective and motivated Civil Service.

Diversification of economy - Mr Speaker I see no mention of fishing at all in this Throne Speech and I wish to remind the Government that there are many persons still in this country who relies on fishing for its livelihood. Hon Member from South Caicos, there is no mention of fishing and there is no statement with regards to what may be the greatest threat at this time to our fish stock – the practice of Longline fishing guised as a Study with no threshold as to when it becomes dangerous enough to have to stop the “study”. It is time for the Government to not continue to say it was inherited by the Interim Government but to review it for itself to see whether it is good for us.

We see no mention of a Tourism Conference and no mention of the Construction Industry as last time. Mr Speaker I must mention that though the Government in its last Throne Speech mention the Construction Industry, it sought to pass taxes that would have and could have stifled the rebounding of this Industry and they did so against the admonishing and warnings from the Opposition only to have to roll it back within weeks.

Education – Mr Speaker a lot has been said about Education more than anything else and whilst I applaud the Minister of Education for her efforts and Mr Speaker I note with excitement that this year has been termed the year of the Young Child but I say Mr Speaker, every year should be the year of the Young Child, it is their future we are preparing for. But Mr Speaker a lot of critical areas have been left undone in this area and I am certain that the Shadow Minister will address these areas.

I wish only to say that I see some flip flopping on certain issues and though I welcome the change I want to be clear. Mr Speaker the Government publicly made statements leading the country to believe that it would move away from the CXC Program and now I see an expansion of training under this area. Mr Speaker I am happy to see a mention of Sports but note that the Minister stated publicly that she is not a supporter of Sports Scholarships. Mr Speaker I remain unclear as to why we do not see the merit in awarding students scholarships based on their athletic abilities. Mr Speaker we remain concerned about the faulty Consultation and the manner it was done where there could not be a greater participation, the question of indiscipline and violence in schools; overcrowding; and the physical state of our schools and College. I note Mr Speaker we are aware that we are not going to be able to issue scholarships at the level that we use to so it ought to be our plan to move towards offering more Degree Courses at the college but there was no mention of the College in this regard or as its physical state or any School for this matter. When our students enter these Institutions and see the state of our Schools, it sends a message to them the importance that we place on education.

Juveniles – I note the mention of the juvenile facility and I am calling on the Government to while it sought out what it will do and where it will locate the Home, to ensure that our juveniles in Prison continue their education in Prison. This is critical for their future.

Youth – I note that the Cadet Program which was removed from the Budget under this Government is to be reinstated and I welcome that. In speaking to this during the Budget Address, I was told that a new model will be put in place and I wait to see this.

Legislative Agenda and Gender Affairs and Children - Mr Speaker we were promised a legislative agenda and to this date we are yet to see it and Mr Speaker my colleagues and I have questioned pending policies and legislation in effort to see the Plan of the Government.

We note the absence of a proper and promised legislative agenda and ask the Government to set before the people of this country, its Plans. In this year of the Young Child we expect to see the passage of already drafted legislation for women and family life.

Policing and Crime – Though internal security is not under a local Government, we expected to see  mention of Policing and Public Safety. We note with concern, no mention of a commitment to safety and a review of Policing and Saftety. Mr Speaker I wait with great anticipation to see our Crime Stats, our detection rates and to see the Police response through its annual policing plan. Mr Speaker if we live this country and if we have our ears to the ground, Mr Speaker we can see and feel that our Police Force is in trouble and whilst the Police Force falls under the Governor, Mr Speaker we cannot forget that we are the peoples’ representatives. Mr Speaker the Police Force seems to be buckling under controversial leadership, there appears to be dissention in the ranks and many seem demotivated. Mr Speaker I speak to our Officers and I observe Mr Speaker and if something isn’t done soon, I believe to address the issues we know that exists, we will have no one to blame but ourselves. Mr Speaker, allegations of conspiracy, curry favouring (if that is a word), questionable systems and policy decisions, and yes Mr Speaker even incidences of racism ascaptured in public places in writing and cover ups. We need to address this Mr Speaker and the people of these Islands will hear more on this from the Opposition soon.

Mr Speaker the Government needs to pay greater attention to social issues and I mention the following for their consideration.

Our Prison numbers though steady and seeing a recent decrease sees the largest of its population under 25 yrs and coincidentally the age group above this has been identified as the bracket to see the largest increase in new cases of HIV/Aids. These groups are the future of these Islands, the contributors to our development and our social schemes. Mr Speaker there was no mention of the Juvenile Facility and Mr Speaker I simply say “duly noted”. Mr Speaker I caution the Government to not ignore the need to rehabilitate or at least try to rehabilitate all of our people who run afoul of the law. We are a country heavily dependent on tourism and reputation is everything. We need not look far to see when problems are ignored or not aggressively addressed how they take root to a point where it seems too big a problem to stamp out.

Mr Speaker mental health was not even mentioned and it ought to have been simply due to the fact that the times are so stressful and we need to create an awareness as to warning signs and how to work with those who are and who become challenged. Mr Speaker the Opposition’s Shadow Minister for Health and representative for GT South issued a release sometime ago during World Day marking Mental Health and I join him in calling on the Government to not ignore this area. Imagine in 2014, we house mental patients at the Prison and allow others to roam the street. We need to feel the Government on social issues.

Our elderly and special needs are still challenged with facilities, home care and home visits. Imagine we still do not seem to understand the importance of testing our children early to identify any learning disabilities and then to design programs to ensure that we get the most of a potential productive citizen.

Healthcare - Mr Speaker I will not speak to healthcare because I consider any Statements made by the Government as vin promises and not to be believed.

Loss of Property – Mr Speaker our people are challenged on every front and each week we open the Papers we see more and more homes being auctioned and whatever the reason Mr Speaker we need to address this. Mr Speaker I had hoped that the Government like other Governments around the region and the world would see this as a problem, not as the individual’s problem but as a national problem and will seek to see where and if it can help. Our people who are former TC Invest’s clients Mr Speaker continues to buckle under the pressure of TOLCO and it is becoming stressful to many and Mr Speaker I dread the possible reactions when people feel hopeless and destitute. As I did in the Budget Address I am calling on the Government to at least look into this and see what you can do and then to look at the root cause of how and why our people are in the positions they are in and seek to address them. Mr Speaker this is a serious issue.

Mr Speaker I will continue to look to the hills from whence cometh our help but I will also say that we have a part to play as God’s hands and feet on this earth.

I have erred and sometimes get frustrated putting my hope in man that man would serve our people as unto God. We all have short comings and we are all flawed and we will be foolhearty to think that we can accomplish anything with God’s help and even foolheartier (if that is a word) to not seek His guidance and follow His leading.

Mr Speaker we are the best little country in the world and we just need to work towards that title.

Mr Speaker I close as I have in all my statements since the beginning of this Year to all the residents of this country:

Demand and desire a National Plan, find your role, try to see the good and the opportunities to improve personally and nationally, shun the negative thoughts and actions, avoid selfish destructive behavior, read and learn as much as you can, volunteer and commit to the cause of rebuilding what can be the best little country.

Mr Speaker if we were to name this year, it would be the year of volunteerism - everyone has a role to play and I encourage us to make individual steps to make a national impact and to achieve our national goals .

Mr Speaker we all have a part to play and we must. Mr Speaker the Opposition has a part to play and we must perform our constitutional role of being a built in watchdog system providing oversight of the Government’s policies and actions. We cannot compromise our role as it is a critical function in a democracy. Mr Speaker you however will see a stronger and more participatory Opposition. We will not fail to take the lead on issues of national importance where we can.

Mr Speaker we remain confident in our Plans, our experiences and our understanding of the issues. Mr Speaker those who try to thwart our intents confuse our confidence for arrogance and our passion for anger and rudeness. Mr Speaker we remain passionate in our pursuit for a better Turks and Caicos Islands and with God by our sides we all achieve the Turks and Caicos that we all desire where there is justice, freedom and equality for all. May God bless these Turks and Caicos Islands and may “The center of God’s will be our country’s home.”

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by RTC Director

Governor's Throne Speech from Turks and Caicos Islands House of Assembly opening

Mr. Speaker

 

Honorable Members of the House

 

Members of the Diplomatic Corps

 

The Reverend Clergy

 

Hon Heads of States and Government

 

Visiting Dignitaries

 

Ladies and Gentlemen

 

A warm welcome to this, the First Sitting of the First Meeting of the Second Session of the Tenth Legislature of the House of Assembly of the Turks & Caicos Islands. I also do wish a God-filled Happy and Prosperous New Year to all.

 

The year 2013 was a challenging one, but through the grace of God and the hard work of the Members of this House of Assembly, Members of Cabinet and Civil Servants, in partnership with the Private Sector, we were able to make progress towards building a bright and prosperous future for all of our people in this generation and the generations yet to come.

 

Mr. Speaker, as we continue on our journey of nation building, our primary goals remain those of the development of a vibrant economy, the education and empowerment of our people, the creation of opportunities for our workforce, the restoration of national pride, the achievement of desired and satisfactory standards of health care, the strengthening of social protection and security and securing our borders.

 

Mr. Speaker, as we strive to achieve all of these goals we will remain committed to the preservation of our Christian faith and values, and the practice of good governance in the arena of fairness and justice in the conduct of all of our affairs. 

 

Mr. Speaker and Honorable Members:

 

The revitalization and growth of the economy and the creation of jobs has been the principal thrust for my government as we seek to provide a decent standard of living for those who live and work in these islands. The economy has seen a 3.4 percent growth in GDP and an even larger projected growth in 2014 due to the injection of Foreign Direct Investment. However, there is still much work to be done; all Turks and Caicos Islanders are yet to feel this growth, with some being unemployed and many small businesses continuing to struggle.

 

My government has been working diligently to ensure that stalled major infrastructure projects are restarted so as to create jobs and facilitate economic growth. Mr. Speaker, two of four stalled projects (Shore Club and West Caicos Resort) are slated to commence construction early this year and there are high expectations for the positive economic impact that these will have. In addition, four new hotel projects are scheduled to break ground later this year.

 

The execution and progression of these projects has not been an easy task, which underscores the need for a robust investment policy, an effective investment agency, and an enabling business environment to ensure that we are able to attract investment, both local and foreign, and remain competitive in the global arena. Mr. Speaker, this is why my government has as its priority this year the reinstatement of a “TCInvest like” agency, the amendment of the Investment policy, the reform of the business environment, and the empowerment of Turks and Caicos Islanders through education, business training, investment incentives, funding support and the continuation and refinement of the reserve category of business licenses. Mr. Speaker this will enable us to develop a broad middle class with a greater potential for economic advancement and upward social mobility.

 

My government has been in dialogue with the practitioners of the financial services industry regarding the modernization of our legislation and the development and marketing of new financial services products. To this end my government is committed this year to the modernization of our financial services legislation, as well as the continued strengthening of our regulatory framework in compliance with international standards and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force guidelines.

 

The diversification of our economy is critical to sustainable economic growth, and to this end my government is committed to diversification within our main industry of tourism and into other sectors such as manufacturing and processing, agriculture, and aquaculture. My government will develop a medical tourism policy, an eco-tourism policy and initiative, and a sports tourism policy so as to diversify our tourism industry. Mr. Speaker, we are advanced in the development of a manufacturing policy, and the Director of Agriculture has been recruited and will see the completion of the agriculture policy and implementation of a robust agricultural programme.

 

The Providenciales International Airport expansion project is well advanced, and upon completion will facilitate an increase in the airlift into the TCI. This will allow the arrival of visitors to our shores from new and emerging source markets, aided by our new tourism product development and marketing strategies and our Tourism strategic plan which will be completed this year. Mr. Speaker, a major focus of my government this year is the development and marketing of tourism products and activities in the family islands that will facilitate the decentralization of tourism activity and increased economic growth in these islands.

 

My government is committed to the servicing of our debt and provision of educational opportunities, healthcare, jobs and social services for our people, all of which require an adequate and predictable revenue stream for the government. Mr. Speaker, to this end my government will seek to broaden the tax base, lower the tax burden, increase tax compliance and grow the economy through the introduction of new legislation and the enforcement of existing regulations.

 

Mr. Speaker and Honorable Members:

 

My government is currently undertaking a review of the healthcare system at all levels and sectors with the goal of developing a healthcare reform strategy. However, my government is continuing its conduct of the financial and clinical audits of the TCI hospitals, with the implementation of corrective recommendations as deficiencies are uncovered. Mr. Speaker, my government has as its goal the rationalization and reduction of costs of various aspects of operation of the hospitals, as well as an increase in financial accountability and new revenue regeneration from medical tourism and other third party revenue sources.

 

My government intends to introduce Health Professions Legislation which will facilitate the regulation of the standards of delivery of healthcare at all levels and all sectors.

 

My government will amend the National Insurance Ordinance and regulations to ensure that adequate healthcare coverage and access to healthcare at all levels are provided for all persons legally resident in the TCI. To this end my Government will be relentless in our pursuit to ensure that, with regards to the NHIP, children under the age of 18, the unemployed and the elderly will be granted coverage, and that a Pharmaceutical procurement program is developed to provide medications at a cost effective price to NHIP community-based pharmacies. 

 

Mr Speaker and Honorable Members:

 

My government is committed to working with the Office of the Deputy Governor to ensure that the Public Service is effective and efficient in the delivery of services to the public and to ensuring that recognition is given to those Public Servants with records of exemplary service through the establishment of a Public Service Incentive Awards Program.

 

My government is committed to the revision of the civil service employment policy to ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders are afforded the opportunity for employment, training and upward mobility within the civil service.

 

My government will develop and enact credit union legislation that will serve as the framework for the establishment of a Public Service Credit Union and Hotel Workers Credit Union.

 

Mr. Speaker and Honorable Members:

 

The progress of this nation in terms of expanding our economy, creating employment opportunities and empowering Turks and Caicos Islanders will impact various aspects of our environment. It is our goal to preserve, at all costs, the quality of our natural surroundings.

 

My Government will, through the Department of Planning, work to clearly define, establish, enforce and maintain a style and identity unique to our islands thus developing an Infrastructure Master Plan. To this end my government has established an infrastructure working group and a private public partnership (PPP) policy and guidelines to drive these infrastructure development programs.

 

My Government will continue the improvement of the standard of living through the enhancement of assets required by the public in everyday life such as water supply and management, solid waste management, transportation, communication and energy. We have made significant progress with the improvement of the water infrastructure on Grand Turk, with similar work to be undertaken in Salt Cay and South Caicos. We are committed to the amendment of the Road Traffic Ordinance to ensure fairness and the maintenance of high standards in the delivery of transport services to the public. We are committed to the development of an energy policy and the amendment to the Electricity Ordinance to ensure the introduction of renewable energy and the lowering of the cost of electricity.  We will continue to develop the necessary policies, and will request proposals to facilitate both the development of a deep water port on East Caicos and the linking of the Caicos Islands; these initiatives will all result in significant long term economic growth and diversification, job creation and a lowering of the cost of living.

 

Mr. Speaker and Honorable Members:

 

The education and empowerment of our people is critical and essential to the progressive and sustainable development of our nation. We have therefore claimed this year to be the Year of the Young Person.

 

Overcrowding in our schools remains a critical issue. This year we will ensure that all children of school age are able to access education. While we have provided sufficient funds in the short term to recruit teachers in private places for primary school students, we will continue the work started last financial year to plan the funding of an Early Childhood designated center which will have the effect of opening spaces within the Primary schools.

 

The overcrowding and safety issues at Clement Howell High School are of paramount importance, and this year My Government will ensure that plans are finalized to split that High School and move the lower school to an alternate location.

 

My government will begin the upgrading of existing sporting facilities around the islands, including the installation of proper lighting to encourage the safe use of these facilities. We will also provide short-term support for the development of a talent management program aimed at the identification and development of young persons with sporting talent to maximize their potential and to progress into a career in sports.  We will further legitimize The Secondary Schools Sporting Association that will work closely with the Department of Sports to strengthen athletics within schools and ensure smooth running of National Schools events.

 

My government is committed to the educational advancement of all young persons and henceforth we will earmark a portion of the scholarship fund for the direct support of young persons in Technical and vocational areas for certification. We will ensure that scholarships offered meet national development needs.

 

My Government will continue to ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders have access to tertiary education regionally and internationally, and will seek to establish formal relationships with universities abroad so students can have access to cost effective education. We will therefore conclude our application to UWI for contributing territory status, thereby allowing us to benefit from reduced fees for all students whether they are on scholarship or not.

 

My Government will continue to ensure the holistic development and empowerment of our youth, and to this end we will facilitate the re-opening of the Youth Parliament, implement the Youth Empowerment Policy, fully implement a youth apprenticeship programme and reinstate the Cadet programme.

 

My Government is committed to the development of our teachers and will seek to sign an MOU with National College for Teaching and Leadership  in the UK within this year, allowing us to implement part of our teacher development initiative aimed at building teaching and leadership capacity within our schools.

 

We will engage with CXC to host a number of initiatives aimed at improving teaching and learning in Maths and English at both the primary and secondary school levels.

 

Mr. Speaker and Honorable Members:

 

My Government will, through collaboration with our Department of Culture, Ministry of Tourism and other stakeholders, develop a Culture and National Pride Program that will allow for the preservation of our heritage and the promotion of our culture.

 

My Government has already strategically aligned the Culture Department with the Ministry of Tourism and the establishment of Heritage month and a National Culture and Heritage Day during the month of October.

 

My Government is committed to the development of heritage and culture programmes in collaboration with all schools and Non Governmental Organizations.

 

Mr. Speaker and Honorable Members:

 

My Government has as its objective, the creation of an immigration policy that ensures that the total population of Turks and Caicos at any given time is the most peaceful, productive and cohesive mixture, capable of creating and contributing to the social and economic life of these islands, with the result of moving us up on the Human Development Index whilst cultivating a prosperous, advanced society.

 

My government has drafted a new Immigration bill based on the report of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Immigration Reform and recommendations from other consultations. This bill will be geared towards protecting the homeland, will be investor and business friendly, will provide human resources for investment and will allow the critical population growth required to drive the future economy of Turks and Caicos Islands.

 

My Government will strengthen the Labour Board with view to creating a centralized authority concerned with the protection of the social and economic interests of the people of TCI.

 

My Government will seek to provide resources that will ensure the effective surveillance and control of our borders to minimize illegal immigration and poaching. We will seek the support of the UK Government for these initiatives. We will strengthen the enforcement of regulations controlling illegal immigration.

Mr. Speaker and Honorable Members

My Government will seek to revise our land policy to ensure equitable distribution of Crown land for residential use and long term leases for major development projects. We will fund a Development Plan for the entire Turks and Caicos Islands, inclusive of Island Plans, which will guide the future development of the Islands for the next ten (10) years. 

 

My Government will seek to amend the National Parks Ordinance to increase the amount of land in the protected areas and to make provisions for eco-friendly development within National Parks.

 

My Government will enact legislation that will protect the rights of women and children and develop institutions to ensure proper rehabilitation of juvenile offenders.

Mr. Speaker and Honorable Members

My Government holds as one of its greatest charges the responsibility of readying our nation and our people for the move toward independence. We will continue the work to convene a Constitutional Committee of the House of Assembly whose mandate will be to review the 2011 constitution and make recommendations for constitutional change and advancement.

 

Guided by God our father, and bonded together by blood and the passion to build these our Turks and Caicos Islands, may we as a Government both of the people and for the people succeed in all our ventures. May God bless us all, and may God bless The Turks and Caicos Islands.

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by RTC Director

Post Cabinet Meeting Update for January 2014

His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, chaired the meeting of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ (TCI) Cabinet on Wednesday, 8th January 2014 at 9am at the NJS Francis Building, Grand Turk.

 

All Ministers were present.

 

At this meeting Cabinet:

  

·         Advised H.E the Governor to enact the Tax Information Exchange (Amendment) Bill. The Bill gives effect to the Multilateral Convention on Administrative Assistance in Tax matters and provides for retrospective effect in respect of requests made in relation to criminal tax matters. Cabinet further agreed to change the title of the current ordinance to 'Tax Information Exchange and Mutual Administrative Assistance Ordinance;'

 

·         Advised H.E The Governor to enact the Retention Tax (Amendment) Bill. The Bill makes provision for a penalty penalising agents who fail to report in terms of section 8 of the Bill;

 

·         Advised H.E The Governor to enact the Financial Services Commission (Amendment) Bill. The Bill will enable the Commission to liaise with a competent authority for the provision of information relating to tax matters to enable the competent authority to meet its obligation under a tax related convention or agreement;

 

·         Considered the Rehabilitation of Offenders Bill 2014. The Bill provides for the rehabilitation of offenders for certain offences and sentences and for instances where certain convictions and sentences are to be excluded from rehabilitation. The Bill also recognises that there are instances where the right to rehabilitation may be limited and sets out instances where information which is the subject of spent convictions may be used;

 

·         Received a presentation from Mr John Williams, Chairman of the Telecommunications Commission setting out the Commission's views on proposed amendments to the Telecommunications Ordinance. Cabinet welcomed the Commissions support for the amendments and the opportunity to better understand the Commission's Operations;

 

·         Approved the granting of a license (subject to certain conditions being met and further information being provided) in accordance with the Crown Land Ordinance to Chukka Caribbean Adventures over parcel 10101/24 to operate a Canopy Challenge Course as a tourist attraction on the island of Grand Turk;

 

·         Recommended to H.E The Governor the appointment of Mr. Hartley Coalbrooke and Mr David Been as members to a Commission under the Casinos Ordinance.

 

Further details will be provided by Ministers in due course.

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by RTC Director

Man charged with Burglary and spate of Robberies

The Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) have charged an undocumented Haitian male with four counts of  Robbery and also with one charge of Burglary. 

Police will allege the man was responsible for four Robberies and a Burglary which were committed on the island of Providenciales sometime in October, November and early part of December 2013.

Police will also alledge that the undocumented Haitian male was involved with four robberies in which he brandished a firearm to commit these crimes which were: 

•      A convenient store on Cooper Jack Bay, in which a sum of cash was stolen. 

•      A convenient store on Millennium Highway, in which a sum of cash was stolen. 

•      A jewelry store at Market Place, in which a quantity of jewellery was stolen. Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) were able to recover most of the stolen jewellery. 

•      A restaurant located in down town Provo, in which a sum of cash was stolen. 

Additionally, the undocumented Haitian male was also charged for a Burglary in connection to a report made at a business place located along South Dock Road. It was reported to police that during the commission of this Burglary, a quantity of tools and a sum of cash were stolen. 

The undocumented Haitian male was taken before the Senior magistrate sometime in December 2013 on one count of Robbery and a Burglary charge. Bail was denied and he was remanded in custody pending a sufficiency hearing date. He will be returning to court some time later this month (January 2014). 

Police are urging anyone with information about any of these incidents to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

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by RTC Director

31 Female Charged for Theft

After a thorough investigation by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, the charge of Theft has been laid against 31-year-old Nathalie Knowles of Providenciales.The charge is relating to an incident, which is alleged to have taken place on Friday December 27^th, 2013, at a restaurant in the Cheshire Hall area.

It was reported that a Samsung Galaxy Mega cell phone was stolen. An investigation was launched and Knowles was arrested the following day on suspicion of Theft.

Knowles is presently out on bail to appear before a Magistrate in the Magistrate’s Court in Providenciales on Friday January 10, 2014 at 9AM to enter a plea to the charge of Theft.

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by RTC Director