Disappointed not surprised is how Premier Robinson who approves capital projects in the country’s Budget says was her first reaction to what she termed as nothing short of a cheap political stunt taken by Bight MP Porsha Smith.
Premier Robinson stated Hon Ralph Higgs’ family project did not influence her to give the green light for the Promenade along the area known as The Creek in Bottle Creek North Caicos. This is a Project that we promised in our Change Document and we will deliver as we hold this Project to be an opportunity to improve on the Tourism offerings in North Caicos. North Caicos has seen many tourists over the years and we must pay attention to both North and Middle Caicos so as to support the growing tourism sector and enhance the visitors’ experience.
I sincerely believe that this area is unique and offers a beautiful tourist experience as it offers a beautiful stretch of natural beauty and is a source of pride for those on the Creek.
It is so that Hon Higgs along with his family announced a development along that strip and this was done publicly. In fact this Project was criticized and held to be unlikely to happen by a former PNP candidate. It is therefore no secret. Hon Higgs and his family like any other Turks and Caicos Islanders have a right to engage in businesses in this country.
We do not think this Promenade is too good for the people of North Caicos. The vision of those years ago who first conceived this idea and this continued vision under its current representative Hon Higgs and this Government will bring much needed economic activity to the Twin Islands with the realization of this Promenade.
The Integrity Commission is the place to lodge concerns about persons in public life and would usually go about its business quietly. Had the MP for the Bight felt her complaint had merit, the wise approach would be to allow the investigation to take its normal start and course. I find her approach to be deliberate and intentional in two respects and that is to try Hon Higgs in a Court of public opinion with her vexatious and frivolous claim that is ill conceived.
Her grandstanding in front of the Commission’s Office was also an ill-fated effort to defame the character of an individual whom the MP for the Bight worked closely with as former Minister of Tourism while in his role as Director of Tourist Board and whom she publicly stated in the previous Session of the House of Assembly that she had confidence in him. This has of course only changed since his decision to align himself with the PDM.
We stand by the Cabinet’s decision to deliver this vital project for North Caicos and will not be distracted by the misguided actions of the Bight MP. We have confidence in the Minister of Tourism and MP for North and Middle Caicos and wish to assure the people of the Twin Islands that there is no cause for the MP that they elected to resign.
