Turks and Caicos, March 30, 2026 – Millions of dollars in stalled projects and unspent staffing allocations came under fire in the House of Assembly on Monday, as Opposition Leader Edwin Astwood questioned the government’s efficiency during debate on a third Budget Supplementary.

Astwood’s critique came following the presentation by Premier and Finance Minister Charles Washington Misick and zeroed in on what he described as a troubling pattern of inefficiency, poor execution, and systemic underperformance across government.

Central to his argument was what appears to be a significant gap between what the government says it needs — and what it actually delivers.

“There is a serious issue that I’m seeing in the government in terms of staffing,” Astwood told the House, pointing to approximately $8.5 million in unspent human resource allocations.

“That can be misleading… it is positions that were not hired… positions that last year at this time we were told we greatly needed… but yet this year again we have some $8.5 million that was supposed to be spent on human resources, but sadly it never came to fruition.”

The Opposition Leader argued that the failure to fill key roles is directly linked to broader inefficiencies, including delayed or cancelled projects and reduced performance across ministries.

“You say you need these staff but you existed a whole year without these staff? Help me understand why you need this?” he challenged, adding that departments are being held accountable for outcomes without being given the necessary resources.

In a pointed analogy, Astwood compared the situation to sending an under-resourced army into battle.

“If I am a general… and I tell you what I need to accomplish the task… and you don’t give it to me… when I don’t accomplish my goal you can’t blame me.”

He said civil servants are repeatedly requesting manpower, skills and support, only for those requests to go unmet, while expectations remain unchanged.

The result, he suggested, is a cycle of underperformance driven not by lack of effort, but by lack of capacity.

Astwood also tied the staffing gaps to what he described as a consistent pattern of project cancellations across successive budget supplementaries.

“This is our third supplementary… at each one we had projects being cancelled or ‘rescoped’… but sadly many of those projects we do not see return to the budget.”

Among the projects cited as cut or delayed were community centres in Bottle Creek and The Bight, the Blue Hills signage project, upgrades to Fuller and Clementina Walker Park, and critical works to landfill infrastructure — all identified as important national priorities.

Particularly concerning, he said, is the timing of project execution.

Astwood revealed that as many as 20 projects were only put out to tender in the final weeks of the financial year, raising serious questions about planning and delivery.

“So one has a whole year, 52 weeks… and 49 out of 52 weeks these projects didn’t move,” he said.

“Is that efficiency… tendering projects in the last three weeks of the year?”

Projects ranging from road works and community infrastructure to mobile clinics, airport services, and police station repairs were all listed as being advanced only at the end of the fiscal cycle.

While some may argue that progress — even late — is better than none, Astwood rejected that notion.

“People might say better late than never, but is this efficiency? Is this how we want our government to be working?” he asked.

The Opposition Leader also raised concerns about leadership and accountability within government, questioning whether clear direction is being given to senior public officers.

“Were your instructions clear to your permanent secretaries, your directors, your heads of departments?” he asked.

“If it was clear, it is not your fault… but if it’s not clear… it is directly your fault.”

The remarks have now added to growing scrutiny over government performance, particularly as the country prepares for a new budget cycle and faces increasing demand for infrastructure, services and delivery.

With millions allocated but not spent, and key projects either delayed or removed entirely, the debate now turns to whether the issue is one of resources — or of execution.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — For two consecutive weeks, popular on‑air personalities set up remote studios on the sands of Grace Bay, turning Beaches Turks & Caicos into a live broadcast hub for North American listeners. Morning shows and drive‑time programmes all streamed directly from the resort, with hosts sharing first‑hand impressions of the islands’ beaches, culinary scene, and signature warm hospitality.

The broadcasts formed part of the “Password to Paradise” promotion, a multi‑station campaign that invited listeners to tune in for special on‑air codes for the chance to win all‑inclusive vacations to Beaches Turks and Caicos resort. Stations in major markets across the U.S. and Canada used the resort as their backdrop while encouraging audiences to “trade the cold for Turks and Caicos,” painting vivid pictures of turquoise waters and white‑sand shores with every break.

The “Password to Paradise” mission, already a proven radio promotion format in Canada and the U.S., took on new resonance when paired with live reports from the resort itself. Contest teasers, winner announcements, and social media reels featuring guests arriving in Turks and Caicos amplified the islands’ profile well beyond traditional print or digital advertising.

Tourism officials have welcomed the radio initiative as a timely boost to an already buoyant sector. Minister of Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, emphasized the importance of partnerships that not only grow arrivals but also ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders remain the primary beneficiaries of tourism’s success.

In commenting on the recent wave of live broadcasts and contests, Minister Jolly noted, “these visiting broadcasters have showcased the islands to millions of listeners across North America and underscored the “value added” to an economy that continues to expand on the strength of tourism.” He continued, “ sustained, experience‑driven campaigns like “Password to Paradise” align with the government’s broader strategy of attracting high‑value visitors while protecting the country’s natural assets and cultural heritage.”

The Turks and Caicos tourism product is widely described as a cornerstone of the national economy, as this sector continues to grow from strength to strength it will increase the number job creation for islanders.

Additionally, tourism leaders point to the long‑tail impact of being featured repeatedly across multiple radio brands, social channels and contest sites. Each on‑air mention, online clip and contest entry serves as an invitation to discover Turks and Caicos, reinforcing the islands’ reputation as a premier Caribbean destination at a time when global competition for tourists is intense.

For Beaches Turks and Caicos, the broadcasts were another opportunity to highlight its position as one of the region’s leading family‑friendly all‑inclusive resorts. DJs and hosts shared experiences from the resort’s multiple villages, expansive pools, waterpark attractions, and dining venues, giving listeners an authentic taste of the “Luxury Included” vacation concept from a guest’s point of view.

General Manager, Deryk Meany highlighted the resort’s partnership with the radio stations as he complemented a wider pattern of media collaborations that Turks and Caicos has pursued in recent years, from television features in major U.S. markets to digital campaigns showcasing the archipelago’s diverse islands. With the success of the latest “Password to Paradise” mission, industry insiders say the stage is set for more creative broadcast partnerships that leverage the power of storytelling to keep Turks and Caicos Islands firmly on the map.

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks & Caicos, a PADI-certified dive resort in Providenciales, continues to invest in its watersports team by training and certifying four team members to become qualified dive instructors to its operation. The resort operates one of the most comprehensive resort diving programmes in the region, offering on-site PADI courses and daily dives for guests of varying experience levels.

These latest certifications were conducted under the supervision of PADI Course Director and Dive Shop Manager Leonard Suckrajh, who is among an elite group of PADI professionals in the Caribbean. His role as course director allows the resort to deliver instructor-level training on property, further elevating the standard of safety, education and guest experience at the resort’s dive centre.

Suckrajh expressed his satisfaction with the commitment and professionalism demonstrated by the four new instructors, Almina Browne, Cicely Clarke, Andrew Dunkley and Boat Captain Tryston Sang throughout their training and assessment. “I am extremely proud of them,” he said. “They have invested significant time and effort in developing their technical competence and instructional skills and their achievement reflects a deep commitment to delivering safe, high-quality dive experiences for our guests.”

He noted that their performance reflects a strong culture of excellence within the watersports department and aligns with the resort’s long-standing emphasis on safety and training. “At Beaches Turks and Caicos, our objective is not only to train divers, but to develop highly responsible professionals who understand that every dive is grounded in safety, teamwork and respect for the marine environment,” he added. Suckrajh, whose own progression to course director spans more than two decades in watersports and diving within the Sandals and Beaches brands, said the new instructors represent “the next generation of leaders within our dive operation.”

General Manager, Deryk Meany, commended the level of collaboration required to guide four new instructors through the rigorous PADI process. “Attaining PADI instructor status is a demanding accomplishment that cannot be realized in isolation,” Meany said. “It requires the coordinated support of the dive shop, the wider watersports team, and the broader resort operation to ensure candidates have the necessary resources, time and mentorship to succeed.”

He emphasized that strengthening the cadre of certified instructors supports the resort’s commitment to excellence in guest service. “Each additional instructor enhances our capacity to offer guests a greater range of options, a higher degree of personal attention and consistently high safety standards,” Meany continued. “This milestone reinforces our position as a leading provider of family-friendly diving experiences in the Caribbean.”

Beaches Turks and Caicos is recognized for providing a wide spectrum of PADI courses on site, from Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water certification to advanced and specialty programmes. Previous training initiatives at the resort have resulted in many team members achieving PADI instructor status, significantly increasing both certification capacity and in-water safety oversight.