TCI: Opportunity for $20 Million in Gov’t Contracts draws 120 Contractors for first-ever Contractors’ Summit

#TurksandCaicos, May 25, 2021 – The alluring figure of $20 million dollars in construction projects and the opportunity to vie for the work in the bidding process is what drew some 120 registrants to the first of its kind Contractors’ Summit held last week in Providenciales. 

Some were linked via Microsoft Teams, most were in the room at the spacious Gus Lightbourne gym… sat on bleachers and at tables with physical distancing protocols observed.  When Minister of for the newly named Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development stood to open the Summit… the intrigue was palpable. 

Hon Akierra Missick, in her comments to the room were straight forward… this is an opportunity to level the playing field and make the process of bidding more fair and it is also an opportunity to build a better Turks and Caicos. 

She said $15 million of the allotted funds to infrastructure works will be for community development.  There too she promised equity… contractors will get to bid on jobs within their residential districts, projects in those districts will meet the specific need of the area and will be from smaller jobs to what were called higher value jobs of over 75k, she said. 

The Minister informed that while it may sound cliché; the goal is to build a sustainable, more resilient Turks and Caicos.  Her message to the attendees was to give the feedback the ministry is looking to gain in order to ensure the pitch on projects is near perfect. 

The Providenciales leg of the summit featured presentations from various directors in the Ministry of PPID, including Planning and Public Works; it was attended by dignitaries including the Deputy Governor Anya Williams, Minister of Tourism, Josephine Connolly; Minister of Education, Rachel Taylor and house representatives including Hon Harold Charles, a governor’s appointed member. 

The Contractors’ Summit in Providenciales was moderated by Member for Wheeland, assisting in the ministry of PPID, Hon Kyle Knowles and held on Thursday May 20.