TCI News
‘No thank you’, UK says TCI Premier Sharlene Robinson
#Providenciales, February 23, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Official comments on the report coming out of the recent Foreign Affairs Committee round of conversations with overseas territories are harsh and slam the audacity of this UK body for a string of bold suggestions which have set the nations’ teeth on edge.
“…I have spoken to several Overseas Territories Leaders during the course of the morning and we are of one mind: We cannot and must not allow other’s cultures and values to be forced on us and neither will we accept the unbridled influx of British citizens to be added to our voting population.”
Premier Sharlene Robinson assured residents that the recommendations were simply that, but still informed that the Government is taking the tone and the advisement sent to the British Prime Minister as an ambush on the way of life in the Turks and Caicos.
“Whilst it remains a matter for the UK Government to decide whether it accepts the recommendation or not, I will communicate in writing a clear response to the Committee. I have reached out to the Leader of the Opposition and advised him of my intention to do same and will invite him to a meeting to discuss joint efforts going forward.”
Cayman27 yesterday broke the news on the contents of the startling report from the UK parliamentary committee which wants territories to legalise same sex marriage, to allow UK citizens the right to vote in the territories’ general elections and to move more speedily on mandatory public register of companies.
All of these notions have been rejected by territories before and Premier Sharlene Robinson, in a statement issued today, communicated that the Turks and Caicos will not sit idly and have such radical reforms forced upon the territory.
“This again shows the mixed message too often given: we are one but in too many of British citizen’s minds, UK is the greater of the one and knows best. The tone of the report in many respects is unfortunately a message I got loud and clear in my exchange with a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.”
The exchange of which Premier Robinson speaks, happened on December 4, 2018 when she and Deputy Premier, Sean Astwood appeared on behalf of the Turks and Caicos at hearings held during the Joint Ministerial Council meetings which were set in London.
“If this is the approach to resetting our relationship Post Brexit, then no thank you … we have our own identity, our own aspirations, our own beliefs and values and our own democracy. We cannot and must not let anyone force their values and culture on us and in numbers.”
The controversial FAC Report was made public on Thursday February 21, 2019.
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#nothankyouuk
TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
PROVIDENCIALES — New commercial Crown Land applications are facing a six-month pause as the Turks and Caicos Islands Government takes inventory of its holdings.
During Cabinet meetings held July 15 and 16, an immediate six-month moratorium was approved on the acceptance, processing
and approval of new applications for commercial Crown Land grants, leases and allocations.
The pause will remain in place pending completion of the Crown Land Inventory Review. Cabinet’s summary did not state what prompted the review or indicate whether availability of commercial Crown Land is a concern.
The two-day meeting also advanced major consumer legislation. Cabinet approved the National Fair Competition Policy 2026 and drafting instructions for a Fair Competition Ordinance, moving TCI toward stronger consumer protection and fair competition rules.
In Grand Turk, Cabinet approved rezoning land in the North West Suburbs from low-density to medium-density residential use to facilitate a new apartment development.
Cabinet also advanced fisheries reforms, water legislation allowing private and public-private investment, minerals legislation and appointments across tourism, health and finance.
Progress toward establishing a TCI Credit Union was also noted.
PROVIDENCIALES — Major development projects outside Providenciales received Cabinet attention on July 8, with Government approving agreements connected to the redevelopment of Dellis Cay and a resort development in North Caicos.
Cabinet approved a Development Agreement between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Desarrollos Hotelco DC Ltd. and
Desarrollos Hotelco Astoria Ltd. for the redevelopment of Dellis Cay.
The long-discussed private island development sits between Providenciales and North Caicos and its return to Cabinet signals another step toward redevelopment.
Cabinet also approved amendments to an agreement involving SPR LND Ltd. (Royal Reef) and TCIG Development Agreement for a resort/hotel development in North Caicos.
Other decisions included approval of the First Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2026 for onward transmission and the appointment of Cindy Ewing as Chair of the Invest TCI Board, effective August 1 for three years.
Cabinet also noted consultation outcomes concerning changes to business licensing, approved professional membership expenses for qualifying Telecommunications Commission staff and approved advice relating to the Interim Clinical and Estates Services PPP.
The July 8 meeting was chaired by Acting Governor Anya Williams.
Photo Credit: Royal Reef (Keith)
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