TCI News
TCI: Tech developer, ex-DigicelTCI boss and son of former CM brings ‘boldness’ as Deputy Leader of PNP
#Providenciales, June 13, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The appointment of EJ Saunders as deputy leader of the Progressive National Party, PNP has energized some of the base of the Opposition, and the party leader says Saunders brings boldness to the team.
“The person that I have target for deputy leader of the party is someone who brings a lot of specialized skills to the party and can relate to the big bold ideas that I have for the Party to move boldly into the second half of the 21st century as a leader in technology,” said Misick during a press conference at the PNP Party headquarters on Airport Road.
Misick before making the announcement explained that the selection was a difficult one, which he expected to be disappointing for some who had expressed interest in the job.
“I am hoping that at the end of the day we can all hold our hands up and be leaders in whatever seats we sit in and that we would rally around the leadership of the party. No one has all of the answers and no one has all of the skills, but I think together, if we build a strong team around those persons who put themselves up to run and particularly those persons who take on the daunting task of leadership to support them.”
During a press conference yesterday, Washington Misick, PNP Leader made the announcement that his second in command will be EJ, a very popular businessman and son of celebrated former chief minister, Norman Saunders.
“…someone who you already know, someone who’s connected to this Progressive National Party from the umbilical cord, who is from a political family who hopefully understands the rigors of being involved in a political party and who promised me that he – he – is committed to do a sterling job and he promised that would start in another 20 minutes…”
An eruption of applause, cheering and music welcomed EJ to his new role in frontline politics of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and specifically in the executive of the Opposition PNP.
Saunders has made no secret of his interest in participating in the leadership of the PNP; having once offered in the leadership race of the party.
“At 46, I make my entrance into frontline politics, later than most politicians, at least in the Turks and Caicos. But the reason why I have started out late is because I have always said that I would not get into politics unless my country or my party needed me, particularly the country.”
Congratulatory greetings on the deputy party leader appointment were posted to the PNPs Facebook page, including from former premier, Michael Misick, who labelled the duo of Hon Washington Misick and EJ Saunders, the “Dream Team.”
In the PNP camp, the party leader has the prerogative to appoint the deputy leader and Hon Washington Misick said it was not easy making the choice for EJ.
“We have so many talented people in this party who qualify to deputize or for that matter, to lead and remember each person who put their name on the dotted line is a leader in his own right.”
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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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