#TurksandCaicos, December 18, 2017 – Providenciales – The Turks and Caicos Government is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Derek Been as the new Director of Immigration within the Ministry of Border Control and Employment Services.
Mr. Been who officially took up the post on Wednesday, November 15th, 2017, holds a Post Graduate Degree from the University of Leicester Business School and previously dedicated over 10 years to the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service where he served as the former Under Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Communication and Immigration from 1999 – 2004; as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs from 2006-2009 and as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Utilities and Housing from 2009-2010, before taking up the post of Deputy Director of the Turks and Caicos Islands Ports Authority from 2010-2016.
During his tenure in government Mr. Been had the opportunity to assist in a number of key projects including the construction of the North and Middle Caicos Causeway, Leeward Highway, the introduction of the Ports Authority, the Public Works Change Initiative, the Blue Ribbon Commission and several other key projects.
Mr. Been is a civic leader having dedicated many years of service to the Boys Scouts where he serves as the Leader of the Grand Turk Division and is a member of the Turks and Caicos National Museum. He is also the founder and webmaster of Grand Turk Events which seeks to bring awareness to community events on the island of Grand Turk.
Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service Her Excellency Anya Williams stated that she was pleased to welcome Mr. Been back to the civil service and in such a critical role at such a critical time; “I am pleased to congratulate Mr. Been on his appointment and to welcome him back to the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service. His appointment which is a critical one, comes at a very critical time as we seek to make a number of positive changes in the structures, systems and management in the Ministry of Border Control and more specifically in the Immigration Department.
Mr. Been possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience, having previously served as a former Under Secretary within this and numerous other ministries along with serving as a former Permanent Secretary within government. He is fully aware of both the challenges and needs of the department and has already in his short time in the department set about an action plan for change. I look forward to working with him and to supporting him in his role where I have every confidence that he will do exceptionally well.”
Deputy Premier, Honourable Sean Astwood added, “I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Mr. Been to the Ministry of Border Control and Employment. Mr. Been assumes the vital role of Director of Immigration at a pivotal moment in our country’s history, where now more than ever, there needs to be sound direction and developments in the policies and practices guiding both migration and immigration activities for the protection and security of our borders.
Mr. Been, as a former Civil Servant, Under Secretary and Permanent Secretary of numerous areas within Government, brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be fundamental to the department’s ability to address the many challenges that have inundated our communities and social systems over the years. While we have embarked on numerous initiatives for the reshaping of migration and immigration in the TCI, there is a long road ahead of us but I am encouraged by the energy and diversity that Mr. Been has on how the department, and indeed the country, can achieve its goals.
Over the coming weeks Mr. Been will be working to institute new guidelines and policies for the improvement and revitalization of his department and together, with our support, I expect that he will have another long successful tenure with us.”
Commenting on the appointment himself Mr. Derek Been said: “I am most thankful to Almighty God for granting me the opportunity to serve in such a role and at such a time. I am fully cognizant of the inherent challenges and threats that seem to dominate the immigration and labour sectors. However, opportunities also exist and the way we manage migration and immigration is critical to the cultural, social and economic well-being of these Islands and for those who conduct business and reside here permanently. The Immigration Department is essentially an enforcement body. The staff that I lead are expected to operate within the provision of the laws of the country. I expect the officers to be fair, firm and consistent in exercising their functions and we expect the Public and our clients to appreciate and adhere to the law.
As it relates specifically to the role as Director, I will support lawful entry to persons (business and pleasure) who will benefit these Islands, while preventing the abuse of the society and its economy.
I look forward to continuing the efforts to improve service delivery and processes that we manage, and to achieve efficiency and effectiveness. Critical to meeting our objectives is increased staff training and cross training, forging strategic alliances and the use of technology to protect our borders. I look forward to supporting the team at the Ministry of Border Control and Employment in achieving the broader objectives.”
