Honorable Speaker, Honorable Premier and Deputy Premier, Cabinet Members, fellow colleagues of this Honorable House, Strangers in the Gallery, those listening via Radio Turks and Caicos and viewing online, my people of the Wheeland and West Caicos Constituency, a pleasant morning/afternoon.
The Psalmist David said in all things we should give thanks, so I begin by thanking the Almighty for affording me the opportunity to stand in this Honorable House as the representative for Electoral District 10 and by extension the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Mr. Speaker, let me hasten to say that this is a role that I do not take lightly and as I am participating in my third budget presentation since being elected, I want to recommit myself to the service of my people in Wheeland and West Caicos and indeed
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the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Speaker, these are exciting times in the history of our growing democracy.
Mr. Speaker, please permit me to also express my thanks and appreciation to my wife Tanya, my daughter Sophia and my extended family for all their love and support, particularly over the past three years.
Mr. Speaker, my government’s focus has been on “Delivering on the citizens’ contract; achieving social, economic, and environmental progress for all.”
And just like with any other government, there have been challenges Mr. Speaker, however, my government continues to put in the work necessary to enhance the lives of all our people. Mr. Speaker, firstly, let me address my constituents and let them know that I remain resolute in my commitment to the resolution of the dump issues and correcting the environmental hazards that affect us. With the continued support of the various government entities and as the Cabinet Appointed – Chairman of the Solid Waste Task Force, I have made significant progress with the CDB consultation. While the initial stages may have taken longer than expected, I am proud to say that we have successfully completed the tendering process and have
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progressed to the evaluation stage, where we should shortly identify a solid waste professional company that will hit the ground running, mitigating the current risk factors that plague my constituency.
Mr. Speaker, there might be persons, who have the impression that this is not enough, well Mr. Speaker, I am here to reassure my constituents, and the country at large that unlike my former counterparts this is a matter which I take personally and it’s not about me or about lining my pockets but it is about doing what’s right for my people.
Over the next few weeks and months, the consultant will carry out a series of technically advanced fire extinguishing exercises, which I will notify my constituents about in due course.
Additionally, Mr. Speaker an administrative building/container at the landfill will be retrofitted and this would allow the consultants a space to work from. Mr. Speaker, once the consultants have completed their work, we should have a proper build design for a solid waste facility not just for Providenciales, but also for the entire Turks and Caicos, coupled with ensuring the proper policies and regulatory framework is in place to support the new establishments. So, Mr. Speaker, I ask my people of Wheeland for
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their continued patience and trust in my ability to create the change that is so needed in our constituency belief.
Mr. Speaker, I stand here today proud of all that has been accomplished thus far and I look forward to continued progress in this area.
Mr. Speaker, the Chairmanship of this committee allows me to direct involvement in the resolution process as we not only look to aggressively rectify Providenciales dump issues; but it allows us to remedy the entire Turks and Caicos Islands Solid Waste matters, with a comprehensive plan that will see us modernize the way we deal with solid waste in our country. Mr. Speaker, these are the kind of investments that directly impact the lives of our people and we can see that the government is taking this area seriously.
Mr. Speaker, again to my constituents, the water lines are still in the works, since last addressing the house, we have successfully signed the contract to have a water line installed the entire length of Tom Lightbourne Drive. This is a great accomplishment, as we have also been able to have a water line installed in Uncle Paul Close off Millennium Highway, and will be pursuing additional lines in the Miller Clarke Ave and Northwest Point areas. Mr. Speaker, I am of the belief that access to basic infrastructure is a right. The days of pumping water into your tank, unless for emergency purposes, must be a thing of the past. As your representative, I continue to push hard for the completion of FIFTY (50) streetlights installed with a commitment from the Ministry of PPID for another 25-50 lights.
Mr. Speaker, to date, we have successfully completed road works in the Miller Clark Ave area, while others have been already scoped and budgeted for in this new financial year, my objective was to bring those areas neglected for so long up to modern times, this I vow to you my people of Wheeland is not lost on me and it will be done.
Mr. Speaker, since coming to office, I vowed to stay focused on my people and to engage them via community initiatives, community enhancement programs and creating opportunities for them to become more engaged in the affairs of our community. Mr. Speaker, I want to use this opportunity to also highlight the upgrades to our recreational areas in my constituency. Mr. Speaker, while I believe in having safe spaces, these spaces must be functional, so I am happy to note that Digicel TCI has graciously installed free Wi-Fi at the Belglade Parker Garden Park and we are currently in talks to have the same services installed at the Millennium Heights Park, which is currently under construction. These services enhance the usage of the facilities and will in turn have a positive social impact on the surrounding communities.
Mr. Speaker, over the course of the last few days, I have heard the Opposition speak extensively on our government providing opportunities for our people, but Mr. Speaker our people benefitted from :
1. Over 30 million in stimulus packages.
2. A reduction in the Fuel Tax from 85 cents per gallon to 64 cents per gallon.
3. A reduction in Customs Processing fees from 7.5% to 5%.
4. The removal of Import duties and customs fees on essential breadbasket items.
5. $2.5 Million subsidy of the residential electricity bills of all citizens and residents. From October to December 2022, our government paid the electricity utility Fuel Factor charges above 20 cents per kilowatt hour.
All of these benefits were accomplished over the course of this administration, and might I say, Mr. Speaker, my constituents were really grateful for them.
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Mr. Speaker, they are also looking forward to the proposed after-school daycare services that would be afforded to Turks and Caicos Islanders. Mr. Speaker, if this is not providing opportunities for our people, I don’t know what is. So, as we move forward in this financial year we look forward to more programs that will directly engage the citizens of our country.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to our government’s continuous support in addressing the Illegal settlements via the (Informal Settlement Committee) to combat this concerning illegal migrants problem. I look forward to collaborating with the Informal Settlement Unit in addressing this matter. Mr. Speaker we cannot allow our community and society to become overrun by individuals, who intend to tear down what we are working so hard to build. Mr. Speaker, as a champion for youth in this country, after listening to the Minister of Education’s speech and also the speech delivered by the Deputy Premier, it is evident that resources to enhance and improve the lives of our young people are being spread across various ministries, as we address, the educational, social, cultural and rehabilitative factors.
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Mr. Speaker, continuing on from the Minister of Education with responsibilities for Youth I will like to add to the Youth engagement in the TCI. Mr. Speaker, The Department of Youth Affairs, has become a perfectionist at aligning our intellectual and financial capacities. Mr. Speaker, for example, we have collaborated with trusted partners, such as a. Rotaract Club Youth Leadership Summit – Mr. Speaker, the department sponsored the inaugural Youth Leadership Summit in collaboration with TCI Rotaract Club. The goal is to instill leadership qualities, train youth to become dynamic advocates and develop positive life skills. b. Junior Achievement Program – Mr. Speaker, the Department contributes $10,000.00 annually to the Junior Achievement Program. Mr. Speaker, this program seeks to educate primary and high school students in entrepreneurship and financial literacy. c. Caribbean Regional Youth Council (CRYC) Conference – Mr. Speaker, the department also sponsored two youth Leaders from the TCI to attend the CRYC Conference in Trinidad & Tobago. Mr. Speaker the CRYC comprises regional national youth councils and represents the voice of Caribbean Youth. d. National Youth Parliament Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to share that the Commonwealth Heads of Government declared 2023 the year of the youth, which is dedicated to youth-led action for sustainable and inclusive development. Mr. Speaker, the theme for the year is “Cocreators of Peaceful and Sustainable commonwealth futures”. SPECIAL NEEDS Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Education is working diligently to ensure that the new Special Needs Centre is fit for purpose and positioned to meet the current and growing demands for special needs services within TCI.
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the aim is to reduce the need for families to relocate internationally by providing high-quality standards of care at home. COMMUNITY COLLEGE Several critical new positions were recruited as part of the change program including; a Curriculum Development Specialist, Assessment and Monitoring Officer, Workforce Development Officer, Marketing and Communications Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Quality Assurance Manager. TCICC has yielded tremendous successes through its Prior Learning Assessment Recognition Programme. To date, they have trained over 60 trainees within skill areas of Electrical Installation, Commercial Food Preparation, Customer Service, and Food and Beverage Services; these individuals have been certified with their Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ). This is a direct response to reducing the skills gap affecting our labor force. 1. Mr. Speaker, the TCICC had sixty-five (65) associate degree and bachelor’s Degree graduates, and for the first time this FY, they have included TVET participants in the commencement ceremony. Undoubtedly the marrying of academic programs and skills training is aligned with the ministry’s overarching goal to improve the skill sets of the TCI citizenry. SPORTS Mr. Speaker, during a time when youth are often pulled in negative directions, the sport has proven to be a source of redirection, of refocusing and instilling in them the values and disciplines to be contributing members of our society. We are now embarking on a transitionary period where we will place greater emphasis on high performance.
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Turks and Caicos Islands aim to compete with excellence on the regional and international stages. Mr. Speaker, this 2023-2024 budget equips the Sports Commission with qualified and experienced staff to properly govern the sports sector; the resources to develop and manage major sporting facilities; the ability to host high-level and exciting sports programs and events; and the resources to invest in our athletes as we propel them to reaching their full potential!
Mr. Speaker, We look to enhance the lives of our entrepreneurs in the TCI, so I want to use this opportunity to speak to my constituents, let us take advantage of the MSEME program, the funding is there.
Mr. Speaker, The Police Service will also be receiving which Wheeland will be impacted, with the new mobile police station, proposed arrive in Oct-Nov of 2023. We also anticipate the forward progression of the Radar station for northwest and central o look While this is not exactly what we would have preferred, as I am continuously advocating for a brick-and-mortar police station in my constituency, we will be grateful and continue to work along with our Community Police Officer and the RTCPF at large.
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Mr. Speaker, as I wrap up, we would have seen and heard from our Deputy Premier’s Speech, that our government has another very ambitious plan and so I encourage and invite all concerned to come aboard with us and embrace all that is being proposed as we work together to continue to build these Beautiful by Nature, Turks and Caicos Islands.
