#TurksandCaicos, December 14, 2017 – Providenciales – It is incumbent upon me to warn the government members of Parliament to abstain from voting yes to giving the Governor one of primary powers that an elected government has, which is the power to appoint members to the various statutory boards in our country. All over the world, appointment to Statutory Boards are not a bi-partisan act, is simply a government’s appointment of its supporters who campaigned passionately about a certain ministry and how they can bring about improvements to that ministry.
The Bill which is set to be debated before the House of Assembly on the 1 year anniversary of the election of the new Government, will deliver a fatal blow to the legacy of JAGS and what he as a person, his Party and his Government stood for. The Bill will give the Governor the power to do as he likes and act as he pleases without any reference to the Minister with the authority for that particular statutory Board. The Boards’ membership will immediately be reduced which means staunch supporters of the present Government who have been recently appointed to these Boards will very likely see their appointments rescinded and may no longer be able to serve on a board nor make a contribution to their country via their Board Appointment.
What is most troubling to us the electorate, is this – to what end is this measure being taken? Why is it that the overseas Colonial powers want this power and authority removed from the hands of the elected officials and put in the Governor’s Hands? Is it because the country is broke and cannot afford to pay the measly sums to Board members monthly? No! because the Premier indicated we have 101 Million in surplus. Is it because the Board members are incompetent? No, it is not, as many of these Board members have degrees, life or work experience in the industry related to the Boards upon which they sit .
Then what is it? From the pattern of the British’s’ behavior over the last 9 years, one can only conclude it is because they are of the view that the Board Members and the Country as whole cannot self-govern and this view though it pains me to say in this day and age may be directly due to certain historical, abhorrent racial ideologies. It is because the Board Members are Turks and Caicos Islanders. It is because the British do not trust the Board members. It is because it is in line with the FCO policy of having a “greater British presence” in TCI.
How is it, that this JAGS’ ideal based Government can sit in silence and light the fire that will burn us all to ashes by abdicating and transferring its power to the Governor? Is it because the Premier is drawing on her experience as a former “YES SIR”, Consultative Forum member and simply giving in to every whim of the British and has put the fear of God in her elected colleagues by firing Josephine?
If the Premier is the “best man for the job” of championing the cause of her fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders who voted for her resoundingly one year ago, then she should truly stand up and withdraw this bill from the house – after all the opposition only have a say but her government has the numbers to have their way!
MARK A FULFORD
