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.
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.
-
Health1 week agoAstraZeneca withdraws COVID vaccines after millions took their jabs
-
Caribbean News7 days agoBelize, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis
-
TCI News6 days agoEquity in Energy says Bahamas Energy & Transport Minister in legislative roll out
-
TCI News6 days agoFamily of 16 tourist claims negligence in Grand Turk jet ski death; Coroner’s Court hearing evidence
-
TCI News4 days agoAMERICAN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER ALLEGEDLY ARRESTED FOR TWO BULLETS
-
Caribbean News7 days agoMagnetic Media attends Caribbean Media Summit, in focus AI in Journalism
-
world news1 week agoElectricity Access for 600 Million a goal of UN Sustainability Week
-
Bahamas News6 days agoThe Bahamas Successfully Hosts Its Fourth World Athletics Relays