Mr. Speaker, as Minister of Health, I raise in support on this beach and coastal vending bill 2021 and the accompanying regulations.
Mr. Speaker, This is a listening Government. We listened on the campaign trail and we are listening in Cabinet and listening here in the House. 14-1 is a great responsibility and one we take very seriously. Unfortunately, we have people who choose to pander to the worst fears of our people and an undercurrent of mistrust for some politicians.
Mr. Speaker, you have 3 types of folks. Some who all of a sudden want to make a name for themselves. Some who use to have a name and trying to get their name back. And last but most importantly, you have a vast majority of Turks and Caicos Islanders that had genuine concerns about the initial draft bill. We have done our best to address those concerns.
Mr. Speaker I will speak to the a few of the main issues raised with the initial draft bill:
- The issue of whether the public can freely use our public beaches
Section 16 (1) (3) states “A permit is not required for a special event prescribed in the regulations”
Regulation 3 (1) states “In this regulation a family event means a special event where there is no commercial activity.”
Regulation 3 (3) also states “An application for a permit is not required for a family event, but where the family event is more than fifty persons, notification of family event shall be made in Form [..] set out in Schedule 1, to the Committee.
- The issue of whether vendors will continue to make money
- In Grand Turk we bought the local village formerly the local where Chukka was located.
- In Sapodilla Bay we are setting up temp facilities to ensure our vendors have running water, toilet facilities, areas for proper waste disposal areas.
- We are still in a pandemic
- Speaker block and parcel number 606012/99 is of interest for the government and by hook or by crook it will be the future home of the Sapodilla Bay Beach Vendors.
- Speaker I believe in the Entrepreneurial Spirit of Turks and Caicos Islanders and more such too.
- Speaker because this bill came about the use of our public beaches also was raised. Sapodilla Bay have tons of Chairs as well that impede our ability to use that beach for our families. This bill deals with that.
Mr. Speaker, we must have Law and Order. Not for one set of people but for all. The Beach Patrol which is being set up will have to monitor and regulate. We have to dispel the notion that we only have energy for our people. The Beach Patrol with the backing of the Police is for your safety and protection too, not to criminalize you!
Noise Nuisance – Lets get real, can someone today come and the make noise in front of your home all day and night? You would call the police!! There is a balance to be found, where vendors can make money and maintain their livelihoods, the public have access to all beaches, and home owners and guests can enjoy the beach as well.
Mr. Speaker, unless than 3 months ago, I was told the regulations that the TCI was introducing regarding vaccinated only visitors would kill the economy and hurt the small man. The Chamber of Commerce said we would loss $96 Million dollars by January 2022. But we are on the path to another surplus after initially projecting a $70 million plus deficit budget.
Mr. Speaker, there was wisdom is that decision than and there is wisdom in this decision now. Time always tells!!
Thank You
