Mr. Speaker, today November 12, 2013, marks the 1-year anniversary since this new government was elected to office. I wish to thank the almighty God for his goodness and mercies in affording me the opportunity to lead this great Progressive National Party (PNP), this government and the people of this great country. I will forever look to him for strength, guidance and wisdom. I would also like to thank the constituents of this country who have placed their trust in me, the PNP party and the Government and all members elected to this honorable house.
Mr. Speaker we were elected to government amidst high expectations based on an ambitious agenda, which we laid out in our manifesto which was presented to the people of this country. We were elected to government, with the expectations being that a democratically elected government would place the people of this country at the forefront of any national agenda; that a democratically elected government would be the enablers of a better quality of life for our people and that a democratically elected government would fight for democracy and fairness whilst ensuring sustainable socioeconomic development of our people and country.
Mr. Speaker, we were elected into government against all odds and have been governing thus far against all odds, as there were and still are, many obstacles in the way of progress. But with God’s help, our leadership and actions, the burden is lessening, the sea is calming and progress is being made. Mr. Speaker some might argue that progress is not occurring at rapid enough rate, but my government
remains equipped and committed to the task of addressing these challenges head on in the best interest of the people of these beautiful by nature islands.
Mr. Speaker we came into government with several areas of priority on our manifesto, namely jobs and the economy, Education, Health Care and Immigration but all must be minded that our first priority was to first clear the bushes and obstacles while establishing a solid foundation upon which this government and successive governments can build sustainably.
Economy and Jobs
Mr. Speaker, the Hon Minister of Finance yesterday gave an extensive account of the state of affairs as it relates to the state of this country’s economy, so I do not intend to repeat extensively but just to emphasize a few areas of our accomplishments and challenges. Mr. Speaker there are several principles of economic development that my government believes in and we have outlined our commitment to these in our manifesto.
1. Mr. Speaker my Government is committed to ensuring that this country has a tax platform that is fair, broad based and one that can generate sustainable revenue for the government in an efficient manner with high compliance. To this end we were able to halt the implementation of VAT (which all members of this House of Assembly agreed was a bad tax for the TCI) and established a Blue Ribbon Committee that will make recommendations on the best tax strategies in consultation with the public. Yes we have had to increase several taxes and introduce a few new ones in order to meet our fiscal obligations as outlined in the FSPS and the fiscal management frame work as agreed upon by the UK government! But we see most of these as being transitional until such time that the new tax strategies are fully implemented and have the effect of reducing the tax burden. All of these measures and accomplishments are consistent with our commitments as outlined in our manifesto pages 12-13.
2. Mr. Speaker my Government is committed to the creation of jobs and the placement of Turks and Caicos Islanders in these jobs. Mr. Speaker the government has embarked on several strategies of job creation, placement, upward mobility and remuneration for Turks and Caicos islanders in keeping with our manifesto commitments.
Mr. Speaker some of these include:
• The improvement of salaries of civil servants through the reinstatement of the 10 percent that was taken away during the Interim Administration.
• The creation of new middle and senior management posts in addition to 99 plus new posts created under the 2013-14 budget against which several persons such as Immigration Officers have been employed.
• The budgeting for and implementation of capital projects such as the rebuilding of the Ona Glinton Primary School, the extension of the Providenciales International Airport among many others. We are also currently developing policies that would ensure maximum uptake of Turks and Caicos Islanders in these Government contracted jobs’.
• The active engagement of developers of stalled major development projects such as Ambergris Cay, Dellis Cay, West Caicos and Shore Club the latter two of which are poised to commence works early in the New Year and hence creating more jobs.
• The encouragement of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) through the development of a new investment policy and the reinstatement of a TCInvest like Agency, mandated to market and promote the TCI as the best place to invest. To this end my government has facilitated and continues to facilitate the implementation of several new major projects such as the JW Marriott Dessarollos, Third Turtle Resort, East Bay Resort, Sail Rock Resort, White Sands Resort, North Creek Resort and Marina, just to name a few, many of which are expected to start and reach completion between 2014-16, thus bringing much needed employment opportunities and a boost to the economy.
• The development of an infrastructure pipeline of major projects some of which will be developed as public private partnerships (PPP). To this end my government has established an infrastructure committee, which has been actively working, and the development of a PPP policy framework that would facilitate these project developments. My government has already begun marketing a number of these major projects, such as the East Caicos Port Facility, Caicos Causeway and Expansion of PIA. These were the projects that were presented at 2 major international investment meetings in North America with significant results as there are many expressions of interest in these projects.
• The amendment to the employment and Immigration ordinances, development of immigration protocols as annexes to development agreements, the strengthening of the Employment services unit of the labour department, these all being efforts to maximize the employment opportunities for Belongers.
• The development of an apprenticeship program in collaboration with private sector partners so as to ensure training and employment of young adults into skilled jobs and top management professional jobs. It is our intention to expand this program in both the private and public sector and as such we will also be working with the UK Government who has recently implemented such a program. It is our intention to assess this very programe during our visit to London for the JMC later this month. This apprenticeship program will also form a part of a vocational training program that is now in the early stages of policy development.
3. Mr. Speaker our government is committed to the creation of a business friendly environment and the facilitation of small and medium size businesses especially for Turks and Caicos Islanders, as these are the drivers of sustainable economic growth. Mr. Speaker to this end our Government has already embarked on several initiatives that seek to meet our manifesto commitments. Some of these include:
• The review of policies as it relates to the ease or difficulty of doing business with the intent of their removal whilst ensuring that the best interest of local business and employees continues to be preserved.
• The review of the business license categories with the intention to reduce the number of businesses in the miscellaneous categories, creation of new reserve and restricted categories, and the removal of inequities faced by businesses in the smaller family islands as it relates to business license fees.
• The development of a Young Adult Empowerment Policy, a component of which would include incentives that would encourage the development of Belonger small and medium size businesses that would have the potential to develop into large well established businesses.
• The development of a SME Agency in collaboration with the Private Sector that would assist Turks and Caicos Islanders with the capacity (capital and skill) to start and manage a small or medium size business.
4. Mr. Speaker this Government is committed to the diversification of the economy so as to reduce reliance on hotel based tourism as the main revenue earner. Mr. Speaker to this end my Government has embarked on a number of diversification initiatives as follows:
• The diversification of the tourism sector and the creation of policies as it relates to Eco-tourism, Yachting tourism and medical tourism. The facilitation of eco and yachting tourism would be accomplished through the amendments to the National Parks Ordinance which has already been approved in Cabinet and committee established to facilitate public consultation. The Government in collaboration with ICL is already engaged in medical tourism on a small scale and is now poised to formalize and expand a medical tourism program. Appropriate policy will now be developed in collaboration with relevant stakeholders;
• The transfer of Heritage and Culture under the Ministry of Tourism has been done to facilitate the development of culture and heritage tourism with a number of initiatives being planned for the 2014 and beyond.
• The development of a manufacturing policy that would encourage the expansion of the businesses engaged in light manufacturing and processing, thereby improving food security, and revenue from export and general economic growth. The manufacturing committee has been established and are already actively engaged with stakeholders in the development of a manufacturing policy;
• The expansion of the financial services industry through the development new products and legislation to facilitate marketing, promotion and regulation of such products. The Government is already engaged with the financial services industry and FSC as it relates to what needs to be done and will be working with the Attorney General’s Chambers in the development of new legislation or amendment of existing legislation to ensure growth in this industry.
• Work has already begun on the implementation of an aircraft registry and the modernization and expansion of our ship registry as major revenue earners.
• The development of the Agriculture sector has been delayed pending the appointment of a Director of Agriculture. Interviews for this post have recently been conducted and it is likely that a Director will take office in the intermediate future. The Government has already engaged in talks with CARICOM who has committed to providing assistance with the completion of an Agriculture Policy which now exist in draft.
• The Government has already begun the exploration of potential that exist in deep sea fishing and aquaculture with the intention of expanding our fishing industry so as to provide enough fish for local consumption, processing and export
• The Government has already begun the review of our sea ports of entry with the intention of developing a major port of entry on the island of East Caicos thereby participating and competing globally in the shipping and trade industry. This venture once realized, will be a significant direct revenue earner with the spin off effect of lowering the cost of goods into Turks and Caicos, lowering the cost of fuel and energy and generally lowering the cost of living.
• The Government has already begun the process of considering Phase Three of the expansion project of the Providenciales International Airport. This furtherance of the current expansion project would not only increase passenger arrivals into TCI and facilitate new tourism related investments but also allow for the development of the existing airport as a hub for intra-regional travel and cargo transport.
• This Government has committed to the marketing and promotion of the TCI as a safe and productive place to invest and do business. To this end we have made a commitment to holding a major tourism and investment conference in TCI so as to attract investors from all industries and market opportunities here in TCI. Due to financial constraints and other set backs we were unable to host this conference this year but we have committed to hosting one in 2014. In the interim we will continue to market and promote TCI at venues outside of TCI similar to those events held this year in New York, Toronto and Miami at which TCI was the focus of attention.
Mr. Speaker as you can see from my account that much has been accomplished in this past year, as greater than 70 percent of our commitments outlined on pages 12 to 19 in our manifesto have either been completed or are in some stage of development.
Mr. Speaker, I hasten to add, that though these strides have been made, we as a government still recognize that many challenges still affect us nationally and individually. As a country we are still battling significant economic challenges. As a government we recognize that many of our people remain jobless, and that businesses in our communities are struggling. We as a government are still acutely aware that our some of our Turks and Caicos Islanders may not be benefiting from opportunities available in our communities. With the newly developed programs and initiatives such as the apprenticeship program and the development projects that are set to take off in the New Year, I remain very optimistic about our future as these activities will provide benefit to individuals as well as local business across the board. To this end I would like to thank those hard working civil servants whose contributions enabled the development of these initiatives and I also thank those private sector partners who collaborated with this Government to achieve these goals.
Education
Mr. Speaker, in order for our country to achieve sustainable economic growth and development, the education of our people is a critical requirement. This Government acknowledges this fact and several commitments were made in our manifesto to this end. Our first commitment was the conduct of an education stakeholder and public consultation on education, so as to develop an education policy that meets the developmental needs of our population. Mr. Speaker I am pleased to report, as my Minister of Education did yesterday, that this consultation was conducted and the results of the consultation will soon be made available to the public and recommendations made to inform a new education policy.
Mr. Speaker there are many initiatives being developed by the Ministry of Education, Youth Sports and Culture that conforms to our commitment in our manifesto. Mr. Speaker some of these initiatives include:
• Support for the recruitment of an Education Planner to lead the planning of the many initiatives by the Ministry.
• The provision of additional classroom space on Providenciales at the Primary and High School levels on a temporary basis, to address immediate critical needs and in the long term to address ongoing and future needs. This also includes the rebuilding of the Ona Glinton Primary School and the building of the Administration Block of the HJRHS and it’s Auditorium.
• The strengthening of our high school science and technology programs by upgrading all of the high school laboratories.
• The development of a strategic plan for the TCI Community College that will set the roadmap for the development and implementation of other initiatives at the tertiary level.
• Development and strengthening of partnerships with the Private Sector such as the TCHTA in a number of hospitality programs and the TCI College Foundation.
• Development of partnerships with regional Universities such as the University of the West Indies and other international universities in the US, Canada and the UK so as to increase access to tertiary education in an affordable manner.
• The introduction of vocational training at the Community College starting with auto mechanics, and collaboration with the FCO, UK and other universities in the expansion of a formal vocational training program. Please note that Vocational training is a major item on the JMC agenda.
• The strengthening of Early Childhood Education through the development of specific policies which will be deliberated in Cabinet by end of November.
• The approval of the National Youth Policy and the development of a Young Adult Empowerment Policy to be informed by a soon to be conducted Youth Empowerment Survey.
• The continued support of the Young Entrepreneur’s Program and Little Chefs Program.
Therefore Mr. Speaker, as you can see much work has been accomplished over the past year in the area of Education and youth development and even more will be work will continue as is outlined in our manifesto. It would be remise of me not to thank the hard educators for their on-going commitment to our youth and all those students engaged in learning.
Culture and National Pride
Mr. Speaker, the area of Culture and National pride has been given a place of highest prominence and importance, at the level of the Office of the Premier, so as to ensure its development, preservation and. Mr. Speaker as a nation we must ensure the preservation of our nation’s heritage and culture in the face of rapid population growth and ethnic diversification. Mr. Speaker, my Government has already established the National Honors and Awards Committee that is hard at work in developing policies and making recommendations for legislative amendments to ensure that deserving persons are recognized for their contributions to this country. Mr. Speaker my Government has established a protocol committee that has taken on the task of developing protocols, policies and procedures for ratification through legislation, of national symbols and other items of national significance and interest. Mr. Speaker, my Government is committed to the introduction of programs in 2014 that will promote heritage tourism. Areas such as traditional sloop sailing for example and a number of activities will be centered around a month and day dedicated to national culture and heritage, these all being incorporated into our tourism product.
Health Care
Mr. Speaker, the health of the national is still the wealth of the nation and as such going forward it is our intention to commit to the WHO initiative of Health In All Policies. Mr. Speaker sustainable economic development could only be achieved if our population remains healthy with a long and high quality of life. Mr. Speaker, the initiatives outlined in our manifesto, to which we are committed are designed to achieve the stated impact.
Mr. Speaker, we have already begun to deliver on our manifesto commitments as it relates to the strengthening of Primary Health Care through the employment of public health and nursing personnel to strengthen surveillance, prevention and curative primary care programs. Mr. Speaker we are making progress with the redevelopment of the Salt Cay Clinic, the completion and opening of the Middle Caicos Clinic as provided for in the 2013-14 capital budget. Mr. Speaker we are making progress with the establishment of the Public and Environmental Health Laboratory that is critical to communicable disease surveillance and control. Mr. Speaker, we are making progress with improvement in the Emergency Medical Services with the procurement of new ambulances and training of EMTs and Paramedics. However, Mr. Speaker, there is much more that can be accomplished and will be accomplished as more funding becomes available.
Mr. Speaker, we are now poised to bring to cabinet and the House of Assembly the Health Professions regulations that will strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health to regulate all health care providers, facilities, health techniques, health technologies and health standards.
Mr. Speaker, the National Health Insurance Board has reviewed all of the issues as it relates to the National Health Insurance Ordinance and regulations and will be re-submitting these to cabinet for approval, public consultation and debate in the House of assembly so as to ensure that the social health insurance plan functions effectively as a social health insurance plan in compliance with all principles thereof and within the means of affordability.
Mr. Speaker, the financial audit of the hospital has been conducted, and issues related to some information gap being addressed before finalization of the report, which was presented in draft. However, Mr. Speaker, the Contract Management Team and the Service Review Board are already activity engaged with ICL looking at areas where expenditure can be reduced without compromising care, strengthening compliance with contract and accountability and strengthening service delivery. Mr. Speaker, this process will continue with the goal of reducing possible discretionary expenditure, improving service delivery and increasing third party revenue especially related to medical tourism and non-NHIP insurances and thereby reducing government direct funding of the hospitals clinical costs. Mr. Speaker, medical tourism and other third party revenue are critical to the hospitals affordability and the Government is working with the hospital to develop this vital revenue stream, but also being careful to not affect care to NHIP sponsored patients.
Mr. Speaker, the Government via NHIB continues to improve access to cost effective overseas medical care and where possible and affordable implement at home tertiary care programs that would result in overall cost reduction and maintenance of better quality of care.
Mr. Speaker, we are also committed to prepare for the future delivery of health care in a cost effective manner through training of the relevant health care professionals. Mr. Speaker, there are about 14 Turks and Caicos Islanders at various stages of training to become physicians and specialist physicians, some are government sponsored and some are not. Mr. Speaker, we are committed to making provisions to ensure that these professionals return home to provide service to our people and take up their rightful places. Likewise Mr. Speaker, there are several persons training in the nursing and allied health professions. However there is much demand in these areas and we would be encouraging persons to take up training in these areas and make provision for spaces at select institutions of learning.
Mr. Speaker, the delivery of cost effective, affordable and good quality health care is a work in progress but much progress has been made during our one year in office as measured against our manifesto commitments. However, there is still much to be done and we are committed to the task. I would like to thank the population for their patience and understanding and also the hard working health staff.
Immigration
Mr. Speaker, on the one hand immigration is the part of the answer to our economic challenges and on the other hand it is a major part of the problem. Mr. Speaker, my government is committed to growing the population of these islands as sustainable economic growth for all would only come with a progressively larger population. However, Mr. Speaker our challenge lies with the control of the rate and character of growth. Planned and controlled growth is what is necessary for sustainable economic development, as growth that can be strategically matched to the desired expansion of the necessary social services and programs such as education, healthcare, sanitation and housing. Mr. Speaker, uncontrolled and erratic growth as is now being experienced with illegal immigration is a major hindrance to sustainable economic development, as it depletes our finances, our destroys our natural resources such as land and vegetation and creates environment that increases our vulnerability to natural hazards and spread of communicable diseases.
Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that illegal immigration must be prevented where possible and controlled. However, Mr. Speaker this has been an ongoing problem and a more holistic approach has to be adopted if we are to be successful. Mr. Speaker the first step involves the amendment and strengthening of our immigration legislation. Mr. Speaker, this process of legislative review has taken place and the AG’s Chambers will be provided with drafting instructions after which a public consultation will take place on recommendation of Cabinet. Mr. Speaker, it is also necessary for improvement in the border control management system to ensure that persons entering and leaving the country are properly documented and accounted for with red flags for expiration of entry and residency permits. Mr. Speaker, the Government has restarted the border management project that seeks to develop a robust electronic database that will have the capacity to interface with several other databases.
Mr. Speaker, the Government is in the process of drafting an MOU between TCIG and Haiti relating to the prevention and control of illegal immigrants and subsequent repatriation. Mr. Speaker the Government will be in active dialogue with the FCO on the critical matter of illegal immigration with the intention of receiving support from the UK Government to implement programs to strengthen surveillance and detection at the border.
Mr. Speaker, our new immigration bill will make provisions for the acquisition of Belongership other than marriage or descent and will allow for the regularization of a number of individuals who are deserving of the privilege.
Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Border Control and Labour has completed the draft of the Employment Bill and will be seeking to submit this document for public consultation shortly. Likewise the Ministry is engaging a consultant for the conduct of a skills audit that is necessary for the effective functioning of the Employment Services Unit in assisting with matching of available skills to jobs and job placement. Mr. Speaker this will serve to also assist with the identification of Turks and Caicos Islanders for skills training at the Community College or elsewhere and their subsequent employment in the industry as a skilled employee.
Mr. Speaker, again as you can see we are well on our way in the delivery of our manifesto commitments. I take this opportunity to thank the hard working staff in the Ministry of Border Control and Labour and this government looks forward to strengthening your capacity to effectively perform your tasks.
Environment
Mr. Speaker, proper management of the environment is essential to sustainable development of our beautiful by nature islands as tourism is our major industry. We have to ensure that there is balanced development of our valued natural resources. Mr. Speaker that is why we have made recommendations for several amendments to the National Parks Ordinance that will be subject to public consultation. Mr. Speaker, the amendments will seek to increase the amount of land under the protection of the park system. It will also seek to make provisions for the removal of specific areas of land from the National Park System and also for eco-friendly development in the national parks to facilitate eco-tourism. Mr. Speaker provisions will also be made for the incorporation of beach accesses into the National Parks Ordinance and also for the incorporation of Community Parks.
Mr. Speaker, it is also the intention of the Government to maximize on the revenue derived from visits to heritage sites and other natural attractions as part of our promotion of heritage based tourism.
Mr. Speaker we will continue to push for the re-instatement of the conservation fund to assist with environmental protection efforts and projects.
Land
Mr. Speaker, we have begun the process of reviewing the crown land policy and legislation with a view to making some amendments that will facilitate equitable distribution of land that is affordable.
Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Environment is currently conducting a review of the building code and provisions are being made for the revision of the Physical Planning Ordinance that will ensure that there is orderly and approved development throughout the islands.
Water
Mr. Speaker, my Government has embarked on the initiative of modernization of our water generation and distribution systems throughout the Islands. Mr. Speaker the generation component of the water project on Grand Turk has been completed and the replacement of the metering system will soon be installed. Construction works and installation of the Salt Cay Plant will commence shortly. Mr. Speaker these initiatives will continue on the islands of South Caicos, North and Middle Caicos with the intention of creating a National Water Corporation.
Energy
Mr. Speaker, my Government is committed to the reduction in the cost of electricity through a number of initiatives are being incorporated into a new energy policy, which will include provisions for reduction of energy demand and alternative energy sources. Mr. Speaker the reduction in the cost of energy will make significant contributions to the lowering of the cost of living and increasing the disposable income of residents and general increase in economic growth.
Mr. Speaker, we stand here before this honorable house, before the people of this country who have elected us to serve and before God. As this month marks the completion of the first year of our term in office, we wish to state that we are unwavering in our quest to make a better life for the people of this nation. Our efforts have yielded many significant benefits for our people and we are encouraged by the promise of that which is still yet to come. Our challenges as a new government have been unique as our battles have not only been the economy, unemployment, healthcare, education and immigration. It has been our task to heal a broken nation, to unite, to give hope and restore the dignity and re-instill national pride across the length and breadth of these our islands. The winds of change have already begun blowing across our country, and were we to measure progress by only these things, then I am certain that all would agree that we have progressed.
My God bless this honorable house and this great nation.
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