News
Nearly $2.2 Million More for Physical Planning & Infrastructure Development
Minister Akierra Missick at Budget Supplementary
#TurksandCaicos, November 5, 2021 – “Mr. Speaker, members of this Honourable House, Strangers in the gallery, residents of the best constituency, ED5, Leeward and Long Bay, as well as those listening via Radio Turks and Caicos and live stream.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of our Government’s 1st Supplementary Appropriation Bill for the FY (financial year) 2021/22, defined by our Deputy Premier and Minister for Finance as a “well-developed financial plan”.
This Supplementary Appropriation seeks to increase revenues from two hundred and seventy-four million (US$274M) to three hundred and sixty-three million (US$363M).
Mr. Speaker, as a result of the strong leadership and prudent financial management of team PNP over the past nine (9) months, our Government proposes to increase expenditure by roughly 1% that is right Mr. Speaker, 1% of the
Further Mr. Speaker, some seven million, seven hundred thousand dollars ($7.7M) will be reallocated across Ministries and departments. I am pleased to advise the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development will benefit from additional funding in the amount of two million, one hundred and eighty-nine thousand, one hundred and thirteen dollars (US$2,189,113), Mr. Speaker. And this funding will support seven of our capital projects which need additional funding for completion.
Mr. Speaker, these projects and sums include:
- Rehabilitation of the Salt Shed in Salt Cay – US$70,000
- Reinstatement of Government Buildings in all islands- (Crown Lands Building) – US$125,000.00
- Additional works to Green Door – Shelters and Emergency Operations Centers – US$10,556.00
- Front Street Road Works – US$640,000.00 (for the upgrade of secondary/side access roads and making Front Street a Promenade, which includes reheating and stamping of asphalt)
- NJS Francis Building – US$1,000,000.00 (This allows for further much needed upgrades to the building. Present scope only allowed general repairs. Upgrades include fire alarm and fire suppressant, air conditioning system, lights, faucets, fittings & fixtures).
NJS Francis is the People’s House Mr Speaker, it should look and feel as such.
- Mechanical Workshop GDT – US$75,000.00
- Installation of City Water Lines in Long Bay, Wheeland, and Blue Hills – US$200,000.00 (requested amount to cover full water piping to Highland Estate, Wheeland)
Mr. Speaker, once the supplementary is passed, my team are in standby mode to move these additions forward. As you would be aware, Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of PPID launched the COVID Works program on September 1, 2021 and some $8.3M was allocated in our recurrent budget to facilitate this program.
However, Mr. Speaker, with the reopening of the Cruise Industry imminent, $2M from the COVID Works will be
Mr Speaker, we also confirm that TCIG is now the owner of the Grand Turk Beach Vendors Market. This investment alone is a clear indication that this Government is investing in the Tourism product in the Capital. This site will provide a safe, clean, unique, exciting, and lively location for our Grand Turk vendors to establish their trade in the Islands.
This invest(ment) is in excess of $3M, including purchase and large-scale renovations and new construction on the site.
Mr. Speaker, as I prepare to take my seat, I want to reiterate my support for this supplementary and to thank the hardworking team at the Ministry of Finance and by extension the Budget Office for their continued hard work and dedication to duty.
Mr. Speaker, my team and I at PPID will continue to put the best interests of the people of this country at the forefront of every decision we make, as we work to provide the highest standard of service delivery across our departments and indeed these Beautiful by Nature, Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Speaker, may God continue to bless you and the Turks & Caicos Islands.”