Greetings to you Mr. Speaker, Members of this Honourable House, Strangers in the gallery, the amazing people of Leeward and Long Bay, those listening via Radio Turks and Caicos and those streaming online. Mr. Speaker, I rise to provide this honourable house with an update on the various activities of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development.
Grand Turk Cruise Ship Grant Assistance Program Policy
Mr. Speaker, we are very happy to report that our Government has approved the policy to draw down on one million dollars in funding for the Grand Turk Cruise Ship Grant Assistance Program, which will see qualified persons involved within the Cruise Ship Industry in our Nation’s Capital, receive some financial assistance towards getting themselves ready for the return of cruise shipping to Grand Turk, December 2021.
Mr. Speaker, the assistance package aims to provide eligible Grand Turk businesses only, with a one-time payment, ranging from $3,500 to $10,000 and is expected to address the following areas for assistance for targeted categories:
• Necessary plant and or infrastructure repairs.
• Staff training.
• Upgrade of business software.
• Digitalization of business processes.
• Purchase of business equipment and supplies.
• Enhance business image standards.
Mr. Speaker, some of these Approved Business License Activity Areas are as follows:
Category ID Activity Automotive 106 Motor Vehicle Rental Agriculture, Manufacturing & Processing 136 Native Art and Craft Specialty Stores (Wholesale/Retail)
Personal Care Services 352 Hair Braiding (Beach) 179 Spa/Massage Parlors and Body Works
Transportation Services 185 Bus Services – Mass Transport 193 Taxi Services 196 VIP Transport
Entertainment, Recreation and Events 226 Event Planning and Coordination
Tourism, Real Estate & Hospitality Services 242 Eco-Heritage Tours and Camping Site Operations 248 Land Based Tour Operation 256 Provision of Tourism Services – Other 357 Water Sports 358 Water Sports Equipment Sales and Rentals 263 Water Tours – Less than 30ft. (Per boat) 264 Water Tours – Over 30ft. (Per boat)
Mr. Speaker, the approval of this policy, confirms that you are a TC Islander and or a British Overseas Territory Citizen, to qualify. In addition, applying persons will also have to show proof that their business is still in operation and that they will be operating when the cruise industry returns in December 2021. Proposed applicants are encouraged to dust off their business licenses from 2019/2020 or 2020/2021, as Mr. Speaker, the Portal and its requirements will launch this week and we are encouraging persons to be prepared to upload all the required documents, in an effort to take advantage of this opportunity.
GT Beach Vendors Market
Mr. Speaker, we confirm that the tender for the Grand Turk Beach Vendors Market will be released this week. The location will house law enforcement officials, including the Police and members of the DECR, is expected to be ready for operation as quickly as possible.
National Beach Vending and Coastal Commercial Business Policy
Mr. Speaker, on the heels of both the Cruise Grant and the purchase and renovation of the Local Village property, we also inform this honourable house that the Cabinet has reviewed and discussed the National Beach Vending and Coastal Commercial Business Policy and it is expected to proceed to the House of Assembly for consideration during the week of November 22nd, 2021. As a result of this, today’s session will be shortened to allow the Ministry of Tourism to present the policy and draft legislation to Hon. Members in a consultation, so that their thoughts and views can also be taken in to consideration.
Sapodilla Bay Beach Vendor Market
Mr. Speaker, permit to update this honourable house of the Future Sapodilla Beach Market, the PPID team shall continue to work with the Ministry of Tourism on the delivery of this very important project. Mr. Speaker, the design, scope and estimates are being finalized and will be ready for tendering process before the end of this week. It is the intention of this ministry to seek a reduced tender period so that the bids can be evaluated and a contract issued to allow for the works to be completed for January 1, 2022.
COVID Works Evaluations
Mr. Speaker, please be advised that our team recently concluded an evaluation exercise of bids received under the Covid Works Program, for Providenciales for verge cutting in the various communities of (Blue Hills, Wheeland, Five Cays, The Bight, Leeward and Long Bay areas). A total of 91 projects were evaluated. The evaluations for Middle & North Caicos will commence this week. Due to the share volume of the last batch, we once again apologise for the ambitious approach we took. As a result, we will not be in a position to notify the successful bidders until all evaluations are concluded, which is projected to be the end of the month.
Law Enforcement Training Centre & TCI Regiment New Home
Mr. Speaker, please be advise that the TCI Regiment has an official home on Airport Road, Providenciales. We have now concluded the purchase of two adjacent parcels, consisting of a commercial development including apartments, and a parcel which will become the home of the Law Enforcement Training Centre. This facility which will also be the official training academy for Law Enforcement Officers from the various organizations throughout the Islands. The scope, estimates and Tender documents are being finalized for release of tender shortly.
Sea Defences & Mitigation Measures
Mr. Speaker, as an Administration and a Ministry, we want to assure the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands and in particular residents of both Grand Turk and Salt Cay, that as of August 2021, our Ministry has taken a holistic review of the sea defences for Grand Turk and Salt Cay, with funding assistance in the sum of six hundred thousand ($600k) dollars from the Caribbean Development Bank, CDB.
Mr. Speaker, this review will not only cover the designing measure aimed at breaking down the waves, but will also assist with the development of the necessary coastal infrastructure for both Grand Turk and Salt Cay.
Mr. Speaker, the Consultants are expected to be in these islands shortly, where they are expected to present a preliminary report to both the Cabinet and my Ministry, so that we can have the necessary breakwater designs, in preparation for tender, in the upcoming financial year 2022/2023.
Mr Speaker, we will dispatch our team to the Island of Salt Cay this week, as we have received reports that the sea wall presently in need of an urgent temp solution. This solution will be agreed between PWD and the CDB consultants whilst the remaining measurers pursuant to the consultancy progress, and installed to protect the current structure.
Commonwealth Parliamentary Matters
Mr. Speaker, we are pleased to announce that the Turks & Caicos Islands will be the Caribbean Representative on the Commonwealth Parliamentary Human Rights Working Group. Mr. Speaker, I will be attending our first meeting today with 8 other senior Members of Parliament from around the world, to discussion, highlight and champion the Turks & Caicos Islands Human Rights Legislation, passed during my first term. Mr. Speaker, it is really coming full circle. We will also be in a position to lend support to our colleagues who have questions and concerns on how they can address Human Rights challenges as MPs and how we can build on best practices from across the world.
Lastly, I thank the Legislature of Montserrat for requesting I conduct specialized training for their Members of Parliament on Communication in a Parliamentary context. The session was insightful not only on the work we were conducting but also appreciating that as one of the small OTs, there is more scope for partnership between TCI and them. I also confirm that I will head to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas next month as a speaker and trainer for the newest batch of MPs in their Post-Election seminar.
Mr. Speaker, we want to thank you for the opportunity to provide the update and also to our team at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development for their continued hard work on behalf of the people of our Turks and Caicos Islands. May God continue to bless you and the Turks & Caicos Islands.
