TCI News
PNP Opposition slams leadership of PDM, charges Government with victimization and inefficiency
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – March 22, 2018 – The 15-month old PDM Government is coming under fire this week by the Opposition PNP which is critical of the administration’s reaction to hurricane damages caused by two major storms in September and of its inability to deliver on its election promise of ‘change’.
“One would expect that the PDM would have followed through on the plans that they presented to this country in their Change Document, unfortunately the only change that they have made clear and pronounced, is their intention to change the time and if we know what is happening in Florida, there is a bill before the legislature which is now on its way to Washington, which will be rubber-stamped which will actually set the time in Florida at the same time that we currently have. So that change and every other attempt to change has been regressive.”
Opposition Leader for the Progressive National Party, Washington Misick, during a press conference on Tuesday lambasted the leadership style of the Premier, Sharlene Robinson and pointed to a missing new fiscal policy and desperately needed hurricane recovery plan.
“There has been no attempt to speak to the country about how government intends to raise revenue or make any changes in the revenue system and how it intends to pay for the social services that the country needs. There has been no recovery policy, in terms of after the storm,” Hon Misick continued with, “I haven’t heard of any recovery plan by this government to make sure that people who have been badly impacted by the storm, particularly the most vulnerable among us are properly housed and proper provision is made in the event there is a recurring storm this coming season.”
Misick, who is the former Minister of Finance said that while he is unable to say how large the fiscal year end surplus will be, he can say it will be huge and is due to the lack of spending by the PDM Administration. He pointed out what he believes, and what many believe should have happened since the hurricane.
“We have not heard anything about the construction or the expansion or the identification of new hurricane shelters. We have the elderly and the vulnerable who are still living in appalling conditions with the roofs leaking. We have our schools that haven’t been repaired, we have children who are attempting to learn in deplorable conditions… the lack of their ability to draw down on the money, to spend the money to repair schools to repair government buildings to make sure that the vulnerable is cared for. None of that is happening, the funds have just been building up and so we will close the year at the 31 March, with a huge surplus.”
Mr. Misick called it inefficiency on the part of the PDM Administration to not have spent the money collected from taxpayers.
A strong accusation of victimization was leveled at the People’s Democratic Movement Government and the party’s leader and country’s Premier, Sharlene Robinson was described as autocratic, not democratic.
“The whole approach has been almost to see who they can punish; if it is not the constituency that did not support them it would be a contractor who got a job that they should not have gotten. We see that in the case of the South Caicos (airport) terminal, we see it in the case of the Fish Fry Village development and we see it in the case of others.“ Washington Misick continued, “One of the big problems that we face today is one where we don’t actually have a democratic approach to delivering for the people of these islands because we’ve got a leadership that is positional, in other words, expects everyone to cow-tow to her because of her position and using that to victimize rather than to empower people.”
Hon Washington Misick estimated that it would be impossible for the Turks and Caicos to progress under this style of leadership.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
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