Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Akierra Missick, has continued her series of stakeholder engagements, meeting with the Member of Parliament for South Caicos, Hon. Tamell Seymour, and representatives of the Turks and Caicos Islands Taxi Union as part of her commitment to responsive, inclusive, and people-centred governance.
Strengthening District Administration and Local Governance
Hon. Missick met with Hon. Tamell Seymour, Member of Parliament for South Caicos, for a timely and purposeful discussion on the Ministry’s work to strengthen local governance and district administration across the family islands. The District Boards, established last year and now embedded within the Ministry’s key performance framework, have begun to demonstrate their value as formal bridges between central Government and island communities, identifying priorities, channelling community concerns, and supporting locally driven development.
As the Ministry prepares to embark on a series of engagements across the family islands to conduct a post-implementation assessment of the Boards, the meeting with Hon. Seymour provided valuable early insight. The Ministry is actively reviewing both the legislative framework and the operationalisation of the Boards, drawing on lessons learned and identifying opportunities to strengthen their effectiveness, accountability, and impact. The conversation with Hon. Seymour was an important part of that process, informing the Ministry’s approach as it works to refine and modernise the governance structures that underpin community administration in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Advancing Transportation Sector Reform
Hon. Missick also met with the President, Vice President, and Secretary of the TCI Taxi Union for a substantive discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing the public transportation sector. Key concerns were examined alongside legislative reforms being advanced to modernise the regulatory framework governing the sector. The meeting identified several areas of opportunity for cross-sector collaboration and concluded with tangible recommendations that will inform the Ministry’s next steps.
The Taxi Union raised a range of sector-specific concerns for the Minister’s consideration, including hotel contracting arrangements, the saturation of public service vehicles, compliance with airport pickup protocols, and matters relating to illegal public service operators.
The Taxi Union President welcomed the Minister’s early engagement, expressing enthusiasm for the open and collaborative approach and optimism about the path forward for the sector.
Minister’s Statement
Commenting on both engagements, Hon. Missick stated:
“Good governance is not an abstract concept; it must be experienced by people in their daily lives. Our responsibility is to ensure that the legislative frameworks, policies and systems falling within this Ministry are modern, responsive and genuinely fit for purpose. Government must work for the people it serves. When residents can access services efficiently and with dignity, when our laws and regulatory structures are forward-looking and effective, and when communities feel listened to and see meaningful action in response to their concerns, then we can say with confidence that we are fulfilling the mandate entrusted to us.”
Through meaningful engagement, modern frameworks, and a commitment to institutional excellence, the Ministry of Home Affairs will continue working to deliver responsive, trusted, and accessible public services for all who call the Turks and Caicos Islands home.
