Details of the continuing process of reforming the good governance, sound financial management and economy of the Turks and Caicos Islands by the Interim Administration were made clear by His Excellency Governor Ric Todd at a media briefing today, Monday 18 Jun 2012.
At the news conference announcing the elections last week, Minister Bellingham and the Governor stated that further details of the most critical reforms still to be delivered prior to the new Constitution coming onto effect on 15 October would be release as soon as possible.
The Interim Administration will continue to drive forward the programme over the coming months with the assistance of the Advisory Council and Consultative Forum. It will also continue to liaise with both the PDM and PNP political parties to provide them with the information necessary to inform their manifesto and policy decisions.
Naturally, the Interim Administration will continue in the meantime to run all of the services provided by the TCI Government in addition to the normal duties of Her Majesty’s representative here in TCI: for example receiving official visitors and delegations, including developers; attending official ceremonies; swearing in officials; addressing appeals requests; signing official documents; considering parole applications; taking part in church events; and numerous other matters that require the attention of the Governor.
“The Turks and Caicos has turned around its governance, financial management and economy over the three years of the Interim Administration,” said His Excellency, Governor Ric Todd. “When we took over the Government burden of disorganised management, major debt and unpaid bills meant the public service had almost ground to a halt.”
“Lots of hard work has been completed by hundreds of people committed to making their country a better place in which to live and work. While I appreciate that not every individual may be feeling the benefits of this positive turnaround, it is evident the Islands are now firmly on the road to recovery.
“In publishing details of our work programme today, I wish to make the people aware that we will continue to work in their best interests and will continue to make ourselves further available to both political parties to help them refine their thinking, policies and manifestoes by providing them with the facts and figures of Government. My door is always open to Derek Taylor, Dr Rufus Ewing and their teams.”
Core tasks to be completed by the Governor’s Office:
June
1. Immigration/citizenship amendment ordinance – to Advisory Council and Consultative Forum shortly
2. Political Parties Conducts ordinance – draft to be circulated to political parties, Advisory Council and Consultative Forum, and also released on to TCIG web site for public review
3. Electoral Boundaries Commission – Commissioners to be confirmed
4. TCIG reform – Consolidation of statutory bodies
5. TCIG Reform – Financial oversight under the Public Financial Management Ordinance extended to all remaining statutory bodies with the issuing of sponsorship letters by
6. Economic stability and investment – Green Paper presenting a discussion on Economic Development options for TCI – to Advisory Council then for public consultation
7. Economic stability and investment – 4th Rider to the 2004 9EDF Financing Agreement to EU – first step to releasing frozen funds (3.88m euros) for road and disaster preparedness
July
1. Publish provisional Register of Electors
2. VAT ordinance
3. Electoral Boundaries Commission
4. Public Service ordinance and revised General Orders
5. Permanent Lands Registrar appointed
6. First 9EDF request for disbursement sent to EU – end July
7. Westminster Foundation for Democracy assistance to political parties
8. Coastal Radar Station – expected to be operational
August
1. Economic Development Strategy published after Green Paper responses and consultation completed
2. Final Register of Electors published
3. Electoral Boundaries ordinance – to put into law the 10 new electoral districts
4. Permanent Chief Economist in post
5. Second Milestones Progress Summary published and family island visits by the Governor
6. Crimes and Criminal Procedure Ordinances completed
8. Finance Managers appointed in each ministry
9. Integrity Commission Second Amendment ordinance + legally enforced Code of Conduct in Public Life (including ministerial/political parties’ Special Advisors’/public servants codes)
September
1. National Audit Office operational
2. Court construction works at Myrtle Rigby Building completed
3. Economic stability and investment – Second 9EDF request for disbursement sent to EU
4. Economic stability and investment – Complete Part 1, 10EDF Single Programming Document for the EU
5. Elections – Supervisor of Elections – Issue Regulations on the polling stations and procedural matters related to the election
6. Elections – Integrity Commission – Election Campaign Monitoring Unit set up in preparation to address election complaints
7. Announce candidate as the new Deputy Governor
October
1. Economic stability and investment – Full 10EDF Single Programming Document submitted to EU (once accepted worth 11m euros in tranches during forthcoming financial years)
2. Independent election monitors arrive, election campaigns officially commences on 15th October with the 2011 Constitution coming into effect
3. Political candidates register
