TCI News
TCI: Some increases for parliamentarians passed but are members putting their Party above their People?
#Providenciales, May 2, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – House of Assembly members today opened up about the unrelenting demands of their jobs as elected representatives of the people; the admissions came during debate on the recommendations of a report by the Integrity Commission which would raise some payments to Members of Parliament.
And while, for the most part, it appeared that all were on one accord about the allowances and constituency office increases, when it came time for voting everyone towed the party line.
All of the PDM Members voted to accept most of the recommendations of the Remuneration Report of the Integrity Commission.
All of the PNPs stuck with the leader of the party; either abstaining or voting ‘no’ on the proposal.
The two appointed members from the Governor’s Office also voted in favour of the changes.
First to contribute to the debate also had the most informative presentation; it came from the Member for Leeward and Long Bay Hills, Hon Akierra Missick.
The former Deputy Premier spoke of her own experiences of having to pay out of pocket for expenses linked to her service to the people of the TCI during the Rufus Ewing Administration years. It was pointedly stated that while some recommendations were egregiously high, others were at the very least reasonable and some suggestions showed that the drafters of the report were, she said, out of touch with the reality of the level and manner of the work of a Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister.
Akierra Missick’s comments were supported by two from the Governing side of the aisle. Deputy Premier Sean Astwood and Health Minister, Edwin Astwood both found common ground in some statements by the Member for Leeward and Long Bay and said as much when they made contribution to the debate.
But soon the mood would change and Ms. Missick would abandon her earlier remarks which unequivocally supported some changes to augment benefits to parliamentarians.
Vociferously disagreeing with the part of the report which did not make the raise in payment mandatorily retroactive to the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, was the PNP Opposition Leader, Washington Misick.
His comments in the House of Assembly were so profound, that the entire temperament of the chambers altered.
It turned from a tone of jovial camaraderie to biting antagonism as he and the Premier disagreed on the retroactive element of the report’s recommendations.
Hon Misick said the former Speaker should get the back pay. The Premier said no he should not.
Washington Misick described it as mean. The Premier described his posture as hypocritical.
The Premier reminded that Misick as the immediate past Minister of Finance had the power in 2016 to set the wheels in motion for the former Speaker of the House of Assembly to retroactively benefit from the raise in allowance for that role; yet he did not.
Hon Sharlene Robinson said at this stage, there are far too many more important things to get done in the Turks and Caicos Islands for her to agree to the retroactive payment to the former Speaker. The Premier also disagreed with the expensive allocation of $10,000 to $15,000 per month for an residential accommodation for the Premier in Providenciales.
All Island Members of Parliament will each get $1,500 per month for their constituency allowances, up from$1,200; the Premier and Cabinet Ministers will receive $500 per month to assist with their cell phone bills; the Opposition Leader will receive $300 per month for the same. The Speaker of the House is now able to receive $500 per month as a transportation allowance and Cabinet gets to decide if the provisions will be retroactively paid.
Despite the disagreement and the votes cast on the PNP side, every single member of the House of Assembly to whom the changes apply will get the increases.
The current Remuneration Revision Report completed by the Integrity Commission was presented to Government since June 2016.
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
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