Premier Throws Weight Behind Planning Department

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – February 18, 2018 – In her remarks delivered in the House of Assembly recently during the debate on the Planning (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 Premier Robinson pledged her full support to the Planning Department and the Ministry of Infrastructure in the challenging work to be undertaken.

Premier Robinson stated that “Planning Department gets much criticism and simply on most occasions do not have the tools/resources and legislative authority to carry out their functions as efficiently and effectively.” 

Premier Robinson boasted of her one year – Government’s show of commitment by stating that “…since coming to Office, my Government has provided Planning with a vehicle for the Development Control Officers in Providenciales, seven Development Control Officers which were provided through the Supplementary [ that was] debated and now the legislative amendments needed to empower them to carry out their important work more efficiently and effectively.”

In acknowledging the work of the Planning Department in light of the explosive growth of illegal settlements over the many years, Premier Robinson in offering further comments to the people of the country stated:

“Much work is to be done in addressing the areas under the remit of the Planning Department and when we think of the number of squatting communities, this work which is only a portion of the responsibilities resting with the Planning Department, is more overwhelming than any other area. This therefore means that we cannot and should not expect overnight results and changes. We must allow the process to work and to understand what must be done. We must not interfere with the work of the Planning Department in any way to obstruct their legal obligations and we must continue to report illegal activity and refrain from it ourselves. I understood that there was commentary on the Strategy agreed earlier by Cabinet as it relates to eradication and containment of illegal settlements where the term regularization appeared in the Cabinet’s communique. I use this opportunity to make it clear – the remedy of regularization can only extend to Turks and Caicos Islanders on crown land and not private land and only under circumstances where all the criteria needed are met. There is much to be done and persons must take heed to the new provisions. Planning Department like all enforcement bodies will continue to enjoy my full support and resources will continue to be deployed to ensure their effectiveness. This is a critical first step in a long journey but we cannot continue to ignore the issue with the hopes that it will go away. Whilst we note the pessimistic attitude of the Leader of the Opposition, the work must begin and I will continue to support the Department’s initiatives. We must re-establish the laws in too many cases and we must begin to restore it. Persons must abide by laws otherwise we will continue down a path of lawlessness.” 

Press Release from the Office of the Premier