His Excellency Governor Ric Todd on Thursday, 19th Jan 2012, published the first of a series of quarterly reports outlining progress against the milestones. These are a summary of the principal
legal and administrative changes and safeguards to be put in place before elections can be held in TCI.
Collectively the milestones are designed to restores the principles of good governance, sound financial management and sustainable economic development to the TCI. To assist understanding of progress, The Governor has grouped the milestones into two distinct sets. In the first, milestones 1, 2, 5 and 7, all have distinct end products: implementation of a new
Constitution order; ordinances for the regulation of political parties, integrity and accountability in public life; a new process for achieving Belonger status; a new Crown Land Policy.
The report details the significant progress made against all of these. The remaining four, milestones 3, 4, 6 and 8, represent changes to the way things were previously done and set out processes
for developing continuous improvement in civic life in TCI. With these judgements required of UK Ministers as to when sufficient change has occurred to give confidence that the problems of the
past have been overcome. These milestones include the establishment of robust and transparent public financial management processes; the creation of a stable economic environment; the
TCI Government being on track towards achieving a financial surplus by March 2013; significant progress of the criminal and civil processes recommended by the Commission of Inquiry; substantial reform of the public Service. Again, the report details the good progress made. “The achievements made against the milestones so far is the result of a real team effort across the Territory,” said Governor Todd. “I believe that we are going in the right direction.
Ministers made clear in Parliament earlier this week that elections will be held this year if the milestones are met.” “In particular, I must thank the Advisory Council, Consultative Forum, other stakeholders such as civil servants, citizens and the Islands’ media for their part in delivering key activities and stimulating
public consultation and debate. What remains important is our joint and continued commitment and determination to meet the milestones and achieve lasting positive reform for the good of the
Turks and Caicos Islands.”
The 2009 Commission of Inquiry report identified the high probability of systematic corruption in the Turks and Caicos Islands elected government and others. So serious were the findings that
UK ministers took the view that the only practical option was to suspend parts of the TCI Constitution for an interim period, lasting no longer than necessary. The effect of this was to suspend ministerial
government and the Legislative Assembly.
This suspension is designed to create breathing space to undertake the necessary reforms with the aim of avoiding any repeat the failures of the past.
