Turks and Caicos, May 2, 2017 – Providenciales – The Tourism Minister is responding to what he calls the blistering attack on his reputation by Bight Member of Parliament, Porsha Smith adding that he encourages the Integrity Commission to go ahead and expeditiously, with its investigation so that he can be firmly vindicated. Smith last week questioned figures presented by and the integrity of Ralph Higgs, the member for North and Middle Caicos and Tourism Minister on the coming promenade and craft market for that island, which as she put it will hug his family owned development – Silver Bay Hotel – and which she says will cause him to be enriched from the public purse.
Higgs labeled the move by Porsha Smith as reckless and unfortunate and said he will not be resigning his post, as she demanded on the steps of the Provo offices of the Integrity Commission. Premier Sharlene Robinson is weighing in also, saying the project is a Change Document promose for the people of North and Middle Caicos and said the move by former tourism minister, Smith is a cheap shot.
As the investment and finance minister, the Premier said the project did not get the green light because Ralph Higgs’ family but because she believes, “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 with the Finance Minister’s and hot the Tourism minister’s portfolio that capital projects are considered and approved and Premier Robinson said she stands by the Cabinet’s decision to approve the project. Premier Robinson pointed to what she believes is the true motive for a public announcement before filing the case at the Integrity Commission by the MP for the Bight, “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.”
The PDM Party leader had a message for the people of North and Middle Caicos, that their elected representative would not be resigning.
